The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed former Baltimore Orioles reliever Dillon Tate and have optioned him to AAA. Tate is a former top prospect who pitched as a starter. The 30-year-old is now a reliever who the Blue Jays could revisit in their pen in the near future. With the Blue Jays claiming Tate off waivers, they have designated Paolo Espino for assignment.
ROSTER MOVES:
🔹 We’ve claimed RHP Dillon Tate off waivers from the Orioles and optioned him to Triple-A
🔹 Additionally, RHP Paolo Espino has been designated for assignment pic.twitter.com/S9gBEg6iKP
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 1, 2024
Former Orioles Reliever Claimed By Blue Jays
Tate’s Time In The Pen
Tate was selected in the first round and fourth overall in the 2015 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers. A year later, he was traded to the New York Yankees in the 2016 season. During the 2018 trade deadline, Tate was traded to the Orioles, where he made his MLB debut in 2019. Tate missed the entire 2023 season with a flexor strain. This season, he has a 2-1 record with a 4.59 ERA across 33.1 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts. In the 2022 season, Tate showcased a solid season with a 4-4 record with a 3.05 ERA, 60 punchouts, and five saves. If he can regain his velocity, he could be more effective.
The Blue Jays will most likely extend his time in Triple-A, and then he will be called up sometime in September. Tate is a reliever who throws in the mid-high 90s range with his two seam-fastball, changeup, and slider. Tate is a right-handed pitcher who sported a 1.11 WHIP from 2019-2022 season. Back in February, Tate reached a triple-digit speed of 100, and this was when he was a healthy and qualified reliever for the Orioles. When Tate is healthy, he can do a lot of damage in the bullpen. This is a solid pickup for the Blue Jays with a reliever known for having a nasty sweeper pitch, a variation of the slider. It also contains more downward movement with its horizontal slide.
Main Photo Credits: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
