Stephen

Marek

Marek, 28, posted a 3.38 ERA and 16/4 K/BB ratio in 10 2/3 innings last season at the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate. He’ll serve as organizational depth for the Blue Jays.

Marek, who was acquired from the Angels in the Mark Teixeria deal, underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-May. He can become a free agent.

He struck out eight. Marek had his start pushed back a few days after leaving his June 15 outing with a hand injury.

Marek faced one batter in the third before departing. He’s probably day-to-day.

Marek has emerged as one of the game’s best relief prospects while posting a 3.66 ERA and a 57/21 K/BB ratio in 46 2/3 innings for Double-A Arkansas this season. He had 35 strikeouts and just 17 hits allowed in 26 1/3 innings in May and June, but he had been struggling recently, with seven earned runs allowed in 9 2/3 innings this month. It’s possible that he’ll be a long-term closer for the Braves. However, he doesn’t figure to be a factor this year.

That Jose Arrendondo has been an immediate success probably doesn’t hurt Marek’s chances of getting a look out of the bullpen later this season. After a mediocre first month, he’s allowed two runs and eight hits in 15 2/3 innings since the beginning of May.

No surprises in the Angels’ first round of cuts. Marek, O’Sullivan and Walden are among the team’s top pitching prospects, but only Marek has a chance of seeing time in the majors this year and he’s a long shot.

The Angels gave some thought to carrying Marek as a reliever out of spring training because of their injuries, but it figured that he’d go back into the rotation once it was determined he was returning to the minors. As it turns out, he’ll be a closer instead. There’s always been speculation that Marek could end up in the pen, but he also had plenty of promise a starter. It seems awfully premature to have him make the change now.

Former top prospect Eric Campbell is being left available. Marek, a product of the Mark Teixeira deal, is easily the best bet of this group. Redmond is going to have a difficult time making it as a back-of-the-rotation starter, and Hernandez looks like he’ll be a weak choice as a utilityman.

Marek has allowed one unearned run in his seven innings. The former starter turned into a groundball machine after being picked up by the Braves in the Mark Teixeira deal in July, but it hasn’t really kept up in Arizona. Fortunately, he has more than one way to retire hitters. He projects as a setup man or perhaps a closer for the Braves.