A.J.

Cole

Cole, who turns 30 in January, elected free agency after being outrighted off the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster back in September. He’s actually pitched fairly well in recent opportunities in the majors, including a 1.13 ERA over six appearances this past season. Still, he’ll take his chances in Japan rather than wait on the lockout to be settled.

Cole was limited to just six relief appearances with the Blue Jays this season due to injury. The 29-year-old righty should be able to land a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training this offseason.

Cole has been outrighted before, so he can elect free agency if he wants. He had been out since early June with neck and oblique injuries.

Cole has given the Blue Jays all of eight innings this year because of injuries. The right-hander was transferred to the 60-day injured list back in June, but he’s been eligible to come off that list for quite some time. He could help the Blue Jays in the middle innings in September.

Cole has been sidelined since early June due to neck tightness. The Blue Jays don’t exactly have a ton of room in their major-league bullpen at the moment, so there’s a chance he remains at Triple-A Buffalo once he completes his rehab assignment.

The procedural move clears a 40-man roster spot for lefty reliever Tayler Saucedo to be called up from Triple-A Buffalo. Cole has been sidelined since early-June due to neck tightness and won’t be eligible to return until August at the earliest.

The right-hander has pitched well out of the bullpen for Toronto, posting a 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over eight innings with seven strikeouts. Cole will be replaced on the Blue Jays roster by Jeremy Beasley.

It’s the fourth career save for Cole, who was just added to the Blue Jays’ roster four days ago. He probably won’t be much of a factor in the ninth going forward, but he did well enough in a three-run game tonight.

Cole was re-signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, but didn’t make the club. He did a solid job for Toronto last year with a 3.09 ERA and 20/9 K/BB ratio over 23 1/3 innings, but likely doesn’t pitch in a high-leverage role while with the club.

The 29-year-old hurler was non-tendered by the Blue Jays in early December, but he’ll return to the Jays with a chance to compete for a spot in the club’s Opening Day bullpen. Cole will earn $1 million if he makes the big league roster and has the chance to earn an additional $200,000 in incentives. He did a nice job for the Jays during the 2020 season, compiling a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 20/9 K/BB ratio across 23 1/3 innings.