The Blue Jays have officially claimed outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. off waivers from the Orioles. This move was reported by Ari Alexander of 7News Boston and later confirmed by the Jays. To make space on their 40-man roster, the Blue Jays moved Addison Barger to the 60-day injured list. Martin Jr. has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
Martin Jr., who is 30 years old, had recently secured a spot on a 40-man roster just days before this claim. His professional journey began in 2014 when he was a 25th-round pick for the Royals. He spent several years in the minor leagues and played for independent league teams in 2023. He also had a stint in the Mexican League before rejoining the Royals.
Martin Jr.’s Recent Performance and Journey
Earlier this season, Martin Jr. started with the Royals on a minor league contract. This contract included an upward mobility clause, which he triggered. Following this, he was traded to the Orioles last week. The Orioles then sent him to Triple-A Norfolk for a few days before designating him for assignment.
His recent performance at the plate has drawn attention. Martin Jr. has split his time this season between Double-A and Triple-A, accumulating 255 plate appearances. He has a combined slash line of .284/.414/.441 and a 127 wRC+ for the year. His strikeout rate is around 23.5%, while his walk rate stands at 16.1%.
While he does not possess significant power, with eight home runs this year, which is near his career high, Martin Jr. is noted for his speed on the bases. He has typically stolen around 30 bases per year, reaching 39 last year and 33 this season.
Impact on Blue Jays Roster
For the Blue Jays, the roster spot was effectively open due to Barger having been out for over 60 days and not nearing a return. Martin Jr. still has a full slate of options, allowing him to be kept in Triple-A. He is expected to provide speed to the team, with any offensive contributions being considered a bonus.
The Blue Jays‘ current outfield options include Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, Yohendrick Piñango, George Springer, Myles Straw, and Davis Schneider. Jesús Sánchez and Jonatan Clase are currently on the injured list. The team’s recent performance has reportedly led to speculation about them potentially becoming sellers before the trade deadline.
Varsho and Springer are impending free agents, and their names have been mentioned as potential trade candidates, though Springer has 10-and-5 rights. Straw‘s contract includes a club option for next year, which may not be exercised, making him another potential trade piece. Sánchez could be on the block. These potential trades could create an opportunity for Martin Jr. to make his major league debut in the near future.
The Orioles had previously acquired Martin Jr. from the Royals. This trade involved the Orioles selecting him onto their 40-man roster and optioning him to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles had a full 40-man roster at the time of that acquisition, and Chris Bassitt was moved to the 60-day injured list to accommodate the move. Bassitt has been sidelined since June 5 with a back injury.
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Source: mlbtraderumors.com
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
