Blue Jays DFA Connor Seabold to Make Room for Max Scherzer

The Toronto Blue Jays designated right-hander Connor Seabold for assignment Monday to make room for Max Scherzer on the active roster. Scherzer was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Tuesday night. The move also opens a 40-man roster spot after Yariel Rodríguez was previously designated for assignment.

Seabold, 30, signed with the Blue Jays on a minor league contract earlier this year. Toronto had intended to use him as a multi-inning reliever until his velocity improved. He was initially sent to Triple-A but triggered an opt-out in March and joined the Detroit Tigers on a split contract.

Seabold posted a 3.45 ERA in 19 innings for the Tigers before being designated for assignment in May. The Blue Jays acquired him in a DFA trade on May 7 in exchange for minor league pitcher Juanmi Vasquez. Since joining Toronto, Seabold has made five appearances, allowing three earned runs in 3 1/3 innings for an 8.10 ERA. For the season, he has a 4.26 ERA, 17.2% strikeout rate, 8% walk rate, and a 42.9% ground ball rate.

With the return of Scherzer and Dylan Cease this week, the Blue Jays have added much-needed rotation depth. Tommy Nance is also expected to be activated soon. The team has been without key starters for most of the season, including José Berríos, Cody Ponce, and Bowden Francis, all of whom are done for the year.

Seabold is out of minor league options and will go through the waiver process. If he clears waivers, he could elect free agency but would have to forfeit his remaining $800K salary from the Tigers’ split contract. The Blue Jays have five days to decide whether to trade him or outright him to the minors.

Toronto’s starting rotation is beginning to stabilize with Scherzer, Cease, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Patrick Corbin back in the fold. The bullpen has also been bolstered by Chad Dallas and Simeon Woods Richardson. Shane Bieber, Lazaro Estrada, and Jake Bloss are on rehab assignments and could return soon.

The Blue Jays are currently 33-35 and tied with the Texas Rangers for a Wild Card spot despite the losing record. With their rotation finally healthy, they are positioned to push for a playoff berth in the weak American League. Scherzer takes the mound Tuesday in a key matchup against the New York Yankees.