Lazaro

Estrada

Estrada heads back to the minors after allowing one run over four innings on Saturday in a long relief appearance against the Angels. The 26-year-old righty figures to be back at some point in the second half.

It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 26-year-old Cuban right-hander. Estrada worked exclusively as a starter at Triple-A Buffalo where he posted a 4.75 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 66/21 K/BB ratio across 60 2/3 innings in 15 starts. It seems likely that the Jays will utilize him as a long man out of the bullpen.

Estrada, 25, has a 1.59 ERA in two AFL appearances after posting a 3.29 ERA and a 113/33 K/BB in 98 1/3 innings between A-ball and Double-A this season. The native of Cuba went unpicked in the Rule 5 draft last year, but he might be a candidate to go this time around if the Blue Jays decline to protect him. He lacks a high ceiling, but there’s the chance he’d be a decent swingman for some team next year.