April 16, 2007
TORONTO – After placing All-Star closer B.J. Ryan on the DL, the Blue Jays purchased the contract of right-hander Jamie Vermilyea from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the empty spot in the bullpen. Vermilyea, who has never pitched in the Majors, will serve mainly as a long reliever for the Jays.
The 25-year-old reliever made three appearances this season at Triple-A, where he gave up no runs over 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. Last year, Vermilyea, who was drafted by Toronto in the ninth round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, went 6-7 with a 3.85 ERA in 25 outings, including 17 starts, for Syracuse.
“We went with Vermilyea because he’s pitched really well for us ever since he’s been in our system,” Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. “He’s had three years of Triple-A experience. He can be a long guy. He can pitch two innings. He’s got a sinker. So, we’re going to give him a chance. He’s deserved a chance.”
Toronto hosts the Boston Red Sox for a three-game series starting Tuesday. This weekend, the Jays will be in Baltimore for a three-game series with the Orioles.
At New Mexico, Vermilyea was a two-time all-Mountain West Conference selection and three-time conference Player of the Week. He holds New Mexico’s season records for starts (18, 2002) and innings pitched (131.1, 2002) while placing third in career innings (303.1) and fourth in career strikeouts (251). He left the Lobos in 2003 after just three seasons when the Blue Jays picked him in the ninth round.