Justin

Speier

Tomori, a 37-year-old right-hander, had a 4.62 ERA in 25 innings last season and a 4.40 ERA in 47 innings in 2003. Those numbers aren’t promising, but the Jays may hope that his submarine delivery can allow him to keep AL hitters off balance for a year or two.

Speier might be the right-hander the Jays are close to acquiring. San Francisco was also reported to be interested in Speier, but they might be close to signing Jose Jimenez.

The 29-year-old former Marine is 2-1 with a 3.91 ERA, and has saved six games in eight chances. He’s worth a pickup if he is still available in your NL-only league.

Speier is on the DL with elbow soreness. He’s not expected back until the Blue Jays return from their West Coast trip June 8.

While the club hadn’t gone public with it, judging from some of the odd times he had been warming up in the pen recently, this isn’t something Speier just developed in his poor outing tonight. The Jays don’t appear to have any intention of bringing Speier back next year, so even if he can return in September, the club might decide to go with young pitchers.

It’s possible that he’ll be activated when rosters expand on Sept. 1.

Speier said he’s shooting for a Sept. 7 return from the disabled list.

This will be the first of two scheduled simulated games, with the second coming Thursday or Friday. Speier could be activated next week if things go well.

Speier had been out since Aug. 4 because of a forearm strain. He’ll help set up B.J. Ryan.

Speier put two men on but eventually closed the door on the victory. He has five saves in two weeks since becoming Toronto’s closer.