Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jason Grilli has been designated for assignment, removing him from the team’s 40-man roster on Tuesday.

The Jays will have seven days to either trade Grilli or place him on waivers.

Pitcher Chris Smith has been recalled to take his place on the roster.

"He understood," manager John Gibbons told reporters. "He told me it wasn't his first time. It was extra tough."

The 40-year-old reliever has struggled in his second season with the team, currently pitching to a 6.97 ERA with a 2-4 record in 26 appearances.

The Jays acquired Grilli in May of last year from the Atlanta Braves for Sean Ratcliffe and he appeared in 46 games, posting a 6-4 record and 3.64 ERA as one of the most reliable arms out of the bullpen on the way to helping secure a second consecutive playoff appearance for the team.

"Maybe he'll go somewhere and do what he did for us last year," Gibbons said. 

The 15-year veteran has been well traveled over his career, also pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox.  He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants fourth overall in the first round of the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft.

The Blue Jays have also activated outfielder Ezequiel Carrera from the 10-day DL and optioned outfielder Dwight Smith to Triple-A Buffalo.

Carrera was placed on the DL with a right foot fracture after fouling a ball off his foot in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

He is batting 297 this season with five home runs and 15 RBIs.

 

Game Notes

TSN's Scott Mitchell checked-in prior to the Blue Jays matchup with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night. 

- Gibbons said Grilli told him he plans to continue pitching at the age of 40.

- Gibbons on Smith: "We'll ease him in. Not sure what role." Could be used in a multi-inning role.

- RHP Joe Smith (shoulder) has played catch and is feeling good.

- OF Ezequiel Carrera activated from DL, OF Dwight Smith Jr. optioned to AAA to get regular at-bats.

- Gibbons thinks the division is still up for grabs: "We'll have a better idea of who we are, what we are by the middle of this month. I'm still holding onto the fact that we're due."