Blue Jays acquire Cabrera from Cardinals, DFA Thornton
Posted July 21, 2023 2:18 pm.
Last Updated July 21, 2023 2:19 pm.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired left-hander pitcher Génesis Cabrera from the St. Louis Cardinals for catching prospect Sammy Hernandez, the club announced on Friday.
Right-hander Trent Thornton was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired LHP Génesis Cabrera from the Cardinals in exchange for Minor League catcher Sammy Hernandez.
To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Trent Thornton has been designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/4APL4AHT0y
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 21, 2023
Cabrera, 26, has pitched the last five seasons with the Cardinals at the major-league level. He had some success earlier in his young career as a hard-throwing southpaw with a knack for racking up strikeouts but has struggled with control and home runs allowed of late.
In 32 games this season, Cabrera has pitched to a 5.06 ERA with 38 strikeouts across 32 innings. He’s walked 18 batters. His best season came in 2021 when he appeared in 71 games out of the bullpen to go along with a 3.73 ERA and 77 strikeouts across 70 innings.
Cabrera is one of the hardest-throwing lefty relievers in the majors this season, averaging 96 mph on his fastball, while his strikeout percentage (K%) has risen back up to 26.6 per cent.
Toronto was reportedly in the market for another lefty reliever to pair with Tim Mayza, the lone southpaw in the bullpen. Cabrera is under team control until 2026.
To make room for Cabrera on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated Thornton for assignment. The Blue Jays now have seven days to either trade Thornton or place him on irrevocable waivers.
The 29-year-old has been with Toronto since 2018 when he was acquired from the Houston Astros for Aledmys Diaz. He pitched as a starter for Toronto in his first season in the majors, leading the club with 154 1/3 innings pitched and 149 strikeouts.
Thornton then appeared primarily as a reliever for the Blue Jays, failing to generate much consistency in the role. He’s appeared in four games with Toronto this season and has pitched mainly with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
