The Toronto Blue Jays have officially signed reliever Matt Bowman to a minor league contract, according to Jon Heyman from The New York Post. The 34-year-old pitcher, who turns 35 soon, is expected to join Triple-A Buffalo as he continues his career in professional baseball.
Background on Matt Bowman
Matt Bowman recently opted out of a non-roster deal with the Minnesota Twins, who have struggled with their bullpen. Despite performing well at Triple-A St. Paul, where he posted a 1.69 ERA over 21.1 innings, Bowman was released last week. His solid performance included a ground-ball rate of 55% and respectable strikeout (28.1%) and walk (6.7%) percentages.
Bowman’s MLB Journey
Over his career, Matt Bowman has played in parts of seven MLB seasons with various teams. His most notable time was spent with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2016 to 2018. Last year, he made 20 appearances with the Baltimore Orioles, finishing with a 6.20 earned run average in 24.2 innings.
Current Status and Future with the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays’ bullpen has recently been affected by injuries, losing middle relievers Tommy Nance and Joe Mantiply to the injured list. Currently, the bullpen ranks around the middle of the league, despite boasting a top-five strikeout rate.
The Blue Jays may have a difficult decision ahead. They have a number of middle relievers varying between Triple-A and the majors who could be potential candidates for reassignment to make room for Bowman. Some of these pitchers include:
- Chase Lee
- Tanner Andrews
- Adam Macko
Additionally, while Yariel Rodríguez does not have options left, he is likely to clear waivers and would accept a Triple-A assignment based on his contract.
Pitching Profile
Bowman features a low-90s sinker alongside a cutter, slider, and splitter in his pitching arsenal. However, concerns linger over his ability to maintain effectiveness against major league hitters, as indicated by his subpar 7.1% swinging strike rate in the minors.
As Bowman integrates into the Blue Jays’ organization, his performance with Triple-A Buffalo will be crucial in determining his future in the majors.
