Tim Mayza of the Toronto Blue Jays waits to be removed from the game during the ninth inning of the Jays’ 16-5 loss to the New York Yankees in American League MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, June 28, 2024.

He is positioned on the mound alongside first base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and third base Isiah Kiner-Falefa. (Press of Canada/Chris Young)

A key factor in the Toronto Blue Jays’ success last season was their deep bullpen. That has been diminished this season by injuries and other problems.

The Blue Jays shut down former closer Jordan Romano of Markham, Ontario, due to elbow pain on Saturday, and designated veteran reliever Tim Mayza for assignment.It has not been easy, according to Toronto manager John Schneider, to decimate his bullpen.

Hours before the Blue Jays took on the New York Yankees, Schneider remarked, “There’s always an opportunity for guys to step up and guys have in certain moments and you hope for those moments to be more consistent, but it’s hard.” “I believe it’s been difficult. It’s been difficult.”

Mayza was sent down to the Buffalo Bisons’ triple-A affiliate, while right-hander Jose Cuas was called up to replace him. Mayza has to pass waivers before he can report to Toronto’s minor league team since he is regarded as a veteran under the terms of the Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreement.

The 32-year-old Mayza, who has played with the Blue Jays for his whole seven-year career, finished 2023 with a career-best earned-run average of 1.52 in 69 games. This season, he was 0–1 with an 8.03 ERA in 24 2/3 innings pitched with only 16 strikeouts.

“I think just the need of left-handed pitching, I don’t know what it is exactly around the league,” Schneider stated. “Considering his past performance, I believe that this year has been extremely difficult for him. “So, we’ll see if someone takes a chance on him.”

His demotion follows Friday’s 16-5 loss to New York, where he gave up five earned runs without recording an out. Schneider stated that if Mayza is not claimed off waivers by another team, he anticipates reporting to the Bisons.

“He is an exceptional person. as a participant, comrade, spouse, and parent. “You understand what I mean?” Schneider asked. “He’s rocking his collared shirt every day and he’s done a lot for this team and the players, being a stabilizing guy down in the bullpen.” The Chicago Cubs had placed Cuas on waivers, and the Blue Jays had grabbed him.

Romano noticed pain in his elbow pitching on Friday and will see physicians on Tuesday. Last season, Romano was a dominant closer, recording a 2.90 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched. On 40 save chances, he made 36 saves.

Similar to Mayza, Romano has had a difficult season; he went 13 2/3 innings with a 6.59 ERA and eight saves before becoming hurt.

“We thought we’d kind of turned the corner a little bit but yesterday didn’t go as great as we had hoped,” Schneider said, adding that Romano’s elbow appeared to be structurally unharmed by imaging. “So I think just getting in person, evaluation is the next step.”

Romano’s right elbow discomfort had previously landed him on the 15-day injured list. Yimi Garcia, a right-handed pitcher who was placed on the injured list due to right ulnar nerve neuritis, was maybe the best reliever in baseball before the injury. Schneider replied, “Wasn’t on our bingo card this year.” “Variety of things down there in that ‘pen.”