Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Shut down with stress fracture
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Luciano won't throw for 12 weeks after suffering a stress fracture in his right arm, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The given timeline means Luciano won't resume throwing until early August, and he'll still have to build back up over several weeks at that point before returning to game action. Luciano had been pitching for Double-A New Hampshire, where he'd allowed seven earned runs in three innings across a pair of starts.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Re-signs with Toronto
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Luciano signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Luciano was let go by the Blue Jays last week but is back with the organization on a new deal. The 21-year-old has a 3.41 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB over 34.1 innings at Double-A New Hampshire this season and figures to return there now that he's been re-signed.
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Elvis Luciano: Parts ways with Toronto
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Luciano was released by the Blue Jays on Monday.
Luciano was unable to earn a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster, and he was let go after posting a 3.41 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB in 11 starts (34.1 innings) for Double-A New Hampshire. The right-hander's lone big-league experience came in 2019, when he had a 5.35 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 27:24 K:BB across 33.2 frames with the Blue Jays.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Reports to MiLB camp
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The Blue Jays optioned Luciano to their minor-league camp Thursday.
After being selected by the Blue Jays in the 2018 Rule 5 draft, Luciano spent the entire 2019 campaign on the big-league roster in his age-19 season. Unsurprisingly, the right-hander had a tough go against major-league hitters, compiling a 5.35 ERA and 1.78 WHIP and a 27:24 K:BB in 33.2 innings out of the bullpen. Luciano spent the entire 2020 season on the injured list, but after returning to full health for spring training, he'll likely report to Triple-A Buffalo or Double-A New Hampshire to continue his development.
The Blue Jays placed Luciano on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to an unspecified issue.
Luciano was one of four Blue Jays placed on the IL, with no explanation given for any of the transactions. The move is retroactive to June 30, so if deemed healthy, Luciano would be eligible to return from the IL before the Blue Jays begin their season July 23 or 24. After being selected by the Blue Jays in the Rule 5 draft in December 2018, Luciano worked in mostly low-leverage spots out of the big-league bullpen as a rookie, posting a 5.35 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 27:24 K:BB in 33.2 innings.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Added to 60-man pool
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The Blue Jays included Luciano as part of their 60-man roster pool that was announced Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Matheson lists Luciano as one of up to 19 starting options for the big club during the 60-game season, but the heavy competition means the right-hander will most likely have to settle for relief work if he sees any action with the Blue Jays. A Rule 5 pick ahead of last season, Luciano pitched exclusively out of the bullpen as a rookie, posting a 5.35 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 33.2 innings.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Optioned to minors
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Luciano was optioned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Alexis Brudnicki of MLB.com reports.
Luciano made his big-league debut last season, something he definitely wouldn't have done if not for his status as a Rule 5 pick, as he'd previously never pitched in full-season ball. In that context, his 5.35 ERA in 33.2 innings was respectable, even if it did come with a 27:24 K:BB. It will likely be a few more years before the 20-year-old returns to the majors.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Back from IL
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Luciano (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Veteran left-hander Clayton Richard was released to free up a roster spot for Luciano, who has been sidelined since mid-June with a right elbow sprain. Spending the final two-plus weeks of the season will be enough to exhaust his Rule 5 status, allowing the Blue Jays to option the 19-year-old to the minors to begin next season.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Tosses sim game
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Luciano (elbow) threw a simulated game Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Luciano was cleared to begin a throwing progression Aug. 9, and he appears to be closing in on a return from the injured list. The Blue Jays will likely determine the next step in his rehab based on how he responds to the sim game. The right-hander has been sidelined since June 13 due to a right elbow sprain.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Begins throwing progression
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Luciano (elbow) has begun a throwing progression, Alexis Brudnicki of MLB.com reports.
It doesn't sound like he's particularly close to pitching in games, and it's possible Luciano won't be able to return this season -- although the Jays do have incentive to ensure he spends the minimum 90 days on the active roster to exhaust his Rule 5 status, thus allowing them to option the 19-year-old to the minors to begin next season.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Transferred to 60-day IL
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Luciano (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday.
Luciano landed on the shelf last week with a right elbow sprain. The young right-hander will be sidelined until at least Aug. 12 following this move, which freed up a spot on the 40-man roster for David Phelps (elbow).
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Placed on IL
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Luciano was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right elbow sprain.
Luciano apparently suffered the injury during Tuesday's game against the Orioles, during which he recorded just one out while allowing two runs on one hit and one walk. The severity of the issue is not yet known. Justin Shafer was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to take Luciano's place on the roster and in the bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Back from bereavement
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Luciano (personal) was reinstated from the bereavement list Wednesday.
Luciano is back with the Blue Jays ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Rays after spending five days away from the team while on bereavement. The 29-year-old Rule 5 pick owns a lackluster 7.32 ERA, 2.24 WHIP and 17:18 K:BB in 19.2 innings this season and should continue to fill a low-leverage relief role with the Blue Jays. Jacob Waguespack (shoulder) was placed on the IL in a corresponding move.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Lands on bereavement list
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Luciano was placed on the bereavement list Friday.
The reason for the move remains unclear, but Luciano will now be away from the team for 3-to-7 days. The 19-year-old Rule 5 pick has struggled this season with a 7.32 ERA, 2.24 WHIP and 17:18 K:BB though 19.2 innings.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Control issues continue
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Luciano walked two batters in a scoreless inning of relief during Wednesday's loss to the Giants.
The Rule 5 pick won't turn 20 years old until next February, so it's perfectly understandable that he's struggling in the majors. Luciano's 4.66 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 8:10 K:BB through 9.2 innings won't help anyone's fantasy roster, but the Jays are content to let him develop in an extremely low-leverage role this season in the hopes that he can be a contributor down the road.
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Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Makes history in MLB debut
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Luciano allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief during Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Tigers.
It wasn't a particularly noteworthy line in the box score, but the Rule 5 pick will now forever be the answer to the trivia question, "Who was the first player born in the 21st century to play in the majors?" In a related note, Mikie Mahtook is also the answer to the more embarrassing question, "Who was the first player struck out by a pitcher born in the 21st century?" Luciano figures to handle a low-leverage role in the Jays bullpen this season, gaining valuable experience before likely heading back to the minors in 2020.
Blue Jays' Elvis Luciano: Likely ticketed for 25-man roster
Rotowire
Luciano's chances of sticking on the Blue jays' big-league roster have improved dramatically with Ryan Tepera (elbow) and Josh Axford (elbow) both sidelined to begin the season.
The teenage Rule 5 pick hasn't exactly distinguished himself in camp -- after failing to record an out and coughing up three runs on a hit and two walks Wednesday against the Braves, Luciano has a 14.85 ERA and 8:7 K:BB through 6,2 spring innings. That said, with the Jays focused more on the future than the present in 2019, carrying him at the back of a bullpen now scrambling for warm bodies to fill roles seems much more palatable. Don't expect Luciano to see much high-leverage work.
