Jeremy Jeffress passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Blue Jays earlier this month, but Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that the right-hander has elected free agency rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A Buffalo.
While it was reported over the winter that the Blue Jays were considering using Jeffress as a starter, he entered spring training as a reliever and won a spot in the team’s bullpen to begin the year. However, he allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings over three appearances before getting the boot.
Selected No. 16 overall by the Brewers in 2006, Jeffress owns a 4.47 ERA and 50/38 K/BB ratio over 52 1/3 innings in the majors. The 26-year-old throws hard, but he has yet to show that he can consistency throw strikes. Still, it probably won’t be long before he finds an opportunity elsewhere.
