Marc

Rzepczynski

Rzepczynski last appeared in the majors back in 2018. The 36-year-old lefty hasn’t pitched professionally since making 45 relief appearances at Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks system back in 2019. He holds a solid 3.89 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 409/205 K/BB ratio across 434 2/3 innings (506 appearances) over a 10-year career at the major-league level.

This was reported earlier on Monday, and is now official. The left-hander struggled with Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks’ organization in 2019 with a 5.04 ERA and ugly 36/28 K/BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings. He’ll have an outside chance of making the Blue Jays’ roster, but is more likely organizational depth in 2020.

It’s presumably a minor league deal. Rzepczynski will have to pass a physical before it becomes official. Now 34, “Scrabble” posted a rough 5.04 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, and 36/28 K/BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings with the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in 2019. He has a long history with the Blue Jays.

“Scrabble” has spent the entire 2019 season pitching for the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in Reno and had a poor 5.04 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, and 36/28 K/BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings there. The lefty just turned 34 years old.

The 33-year-old southpaw had mixed results in Cactus League play, registering a stellar 2.08 ERA with a very unappealing 1.73 WHIP. He also posted a troublesome 5/6 K/BB ratio across 8 2/3 innings. He’ll function as additional bullpen depth for the Diamondbacks.

As recently as 2016, Rzepczynski was considered one of the most reliable left-handed relievers in the game. He was disastrous in limited big league action in 2018, posting a 6.97 ERA and 2.52 WHIP across 10 1/3 innings between the Mariners and Indians. It’s a nice low-risk depth signing for the Diamondbacks, as he could legitimately crack the Opening Day bullpen with a strong showing in the spring.

Rzepczynski was brutal in 2018, posting a 6.97 ERA and 2.52 ERA over 23 appearances between the Mariners and Indians. The 33-year-old has had some success as a specialist in the past, but he’s likely going to have to settle for a minor league deal wherever he lands.

Mijares has a solid 1.72 ERA and 35/10 K/BB ratio over 36 2/3 innings this season. Rzepczynski has compiled a disappointing 5.06 ERA and 22/11 K/BB ratio in 32 innings this year, but has enjoyed success against left-handed batters. The Cardinals are still in the playoff race, so Mijares may be the more realistic target.

Rzepczynski is arbitration-eligible for the first time and wasn’t considered a lock to return. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said he doesn’t anticipate non-tendering anyone else this offseason after releasing Kyle McClellan. Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs and Edward Mujica will all be brought back.

Rzepczynski made $504,000 in 2012 and is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. Langosch believes that right-hander Kyle McClellan is also a non-tender possibility.