Matt

Whiteside

Whiteside has returned from Japan. He’ll return to Triple-A Colorado Springs, the same club he had 26 saves for last year.

Whiteside, 36, had a 3.23 ERA and 38 saves for Triple-A Richmond last season. He’ll probably be Syracuse’s closer.

The non-roster invitee isn’t believed to be in the running with Justin Speier, Billy Koch, and Jason Frasor, but that’s what makes this tidbit rather interesting. We’ll continue to monitor the Blue Jays’ closer battle.

Whiteside pitched with the Blue Jays earlier this season and allowed eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. Santos has been closing in the Oakland system, but he turns 28 next month and isn’t a prospect. Bohorquez isn’t either.

Everyone in Syracuse’s pen has been effective and the Blue Jays also have Stephen Andrade in Double-A, so the team should show even less patience with Whiteside than it did with Brandon League.

It sure is awfully early to be turning to someone like Whiteside, especially since the veteran’s numbers weren’t really any better than anyone else’s in the Syracuse pen. The 37-year-old Whiteside last pitched in the majors in 2001 and has a career ERA of 5.10 in 402 1/3 IP. He’ll be used in middle relief.

Whiteside allowed eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings while with the Blue Jays.

Whiteside apparently is in the majors because the Blue Jays wanted a 12th pitcher they wouldn’t have to use. He might be sent down anyway.