Cordero returns to the Blue Jays almost 4 years after being traded

Photo courtesy of Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

By Eduardo Harari

 

TORONTO. - According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, the Toronto Blue Jays have claimed pitcher Jimmy Cordero off waivers from the Washington Nationals and assigned him to Triple-A Buffalo.

 

Earlier this afternoon, the Nationals confirmed reports which said that the Toronto Blue Jays claimed the right-hander on waivers. 

 

The 27-year old Cordero made 22 relief appearances for the Nationals in 2018 compiling a 5.68 earned run average while fanning 12 in 19 innings of work. Cordero originally signed with the Blue Jays as an International free agent in 2012, however, was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Ben Revere in 2015. 

 

Karma has played its role again and Cordero and Revere have come full circle and will now be teammates in Buffalo.

 

The hard-throwing reliever averaged 98 MPH with his fastball last season, but opposing hitters had a .400 AVG, three doubles, and two home runs on the pitch. The knock on Cordero has always been his ability to lose the strike zone, during his season in the majors, he averaged 5.7 walks per nine innings.

 

Cordero talked this winter about what he learned about his own game in his first taste of big league action.

 

“I felt like my straight [fastball] was like my best pitch,” Cordero explained, “but the batters at this level are much better, so I really realized I need to take a step back and those pitches that I thought maybe were my strong ones I really need to perfect those because it’s just a different level here.”

 

Last season with Triple-A Syracuse, Cordero dominated in 41 relief appearances posting a minuscule 1.96 earned run average while striking out 10.4 batters per nine innings. He owns a career 4.17 earned run average in 209 games over eight minor league seasons.

 

Cordero will be minor league bullpen depth until the Blue Jays are in need of a fresh arm with MLB experience. The relievers arm plays at the big league level if he can find a way to harness his control.