The Toronto Blue Jays announced a series of roster moves on Tuesday, with Bo Bichette on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain. Infielder Orelvis Martinez was recalled and will make his major league debut as soon as he gets into a game. They also made a bullpen swap, with left-hander Brandon Eisert optioned as right-hander Ryan Burr was recalled. On Friday, Bichette first felt soreness in his calf and continued to test it with some baserunning and agility drills. However, the club determined a stint on the IL is best for Bichette, who’s struggling with a .237/.286/.342 slash line. It’s a drop from the .299/.340/.487 line he carried into the season.
ROSTER MOVES:
? SS Bo Bichette placed on 10-day IL (right calf strain)
? INF Orelvis Martinez recalled from Triple-A and will be active for tonight’s game
? LHP Brandon Eisert optioned
? RHP Ryan Burr recalled from Triple-A and will be active for tonight’s game pic.twitter.com/UTNLphTchh
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 18, 2024
Orelvis Martinez Promoted to Blue Jays
Martinez leaves Buffalo as the team leader in several offensive categories, including home runs (16), RBI (46), and runs scored (46). His 16th home run of the season came in Buffalo’s previous game this past Sunday against the Worcester Red Sox. Martinez leaves the International League hitting .260/.343/.523 and in a tie for first place with 16 home runs on the season, and his 46 RBI ranks tied for sixth place.
Martinez had a dreadful start to 2023, going 5-for-56 (.089) in April. A young hitter like Martinez is prone to strikeouts, and it looked like his prospect shine would fall off until it started to click. He posted a .896 OPS the rest of the way, reaching 28 home runs and a newfound home at second base.
According to MLB Pipeline, Martinez ranks as the club’s No. 2 and 68 prospect in baseball.
Martinez in the Infield
Martinez hasn’t been playing shortstop this year, so he isn’t a clear replacement for Bichette. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been holding down the fort with Bichette out of action. He will likely continue in that role with Ernie Clement, and Addison Barger is capable of playing there, too. Martinez will be in the mix for some playing time at second and third alongside Clement, Barger, Davis Schneider, and Spencer Horwitz. Toronto did have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting time at third, and he could be in the mix there as well.
The Blue Jays have been searching for answers on offense this year. The club recently cut ties with Daniel Vogelbach and Cavan Biggio from the roster. Calling up Horwitz and Barger in an attempt to find some extra runs is the next thing they are experimenting with. The recall of Martinez was due to Bichette’s injury, but he could help in that regard in some capacity.
Martinez Following Encarnación’s lead
Edwin Encarnación worked with the club’s young hitters at camp this spring. Encarnación sees the potential for Martinez to be something even greater.
“He has more power than Hanley. There’s more power than Hanley,” Encarnación said. “He just needs to learn his strike zone, but he’s going to get it. To me, he has more talent than Hanley at that age. He’s a great, great player. The good thing is that he likes to listen. He’s making adjustments.”
If Martinez has more talent than Hanley Ramirez, like Encarnación says, that puts him in unique company, but it’s not rare to compare a prospect to someone of that talent level.
More to come.
Main Photo: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
