Adam

Macko

Macko was shut down from throwing a couple weeks ago after suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee. The 24-year-old southpaw should be an option for Toronto’s bullpen at some point later this year, if he manages to avoid season-ending surgery.

Macko felt something during a side session over the weekend and has an appointment scheduled for Wednesday. Surgery is being considered as a possible option. The 24-year-old pitched to a 4.87 ERA in 81 1/3 innings in Double-A in 2024 and was likely slated to begin the season in Triple-A.

It’s the first large batch of cuts for the Jays’ this spring, but there were no major surprises in the bunch. Macko, 23, made 20 starts at High-A Vancouver in 2023, posting a 4.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 106/40 K/BB ratio over 86 innings of work. Expect him to begin the 2024 campaign at Double-A New Hampshire.

The 22-year-old southpaw joined the Jays in the trade that sent Teoscar Hernandez to the Mariners last November. He spent the 2023 season at High-A Vancouver where he registered a 4.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 106/40 K/BB ratio over 86 innings in his 20 starts. He now holds a spot on the club’s 40-man roster and can’t be selected in the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Macko has flashed high strikeout upside in the early part of his pro career, but he holds a relatively underwhelming 3.98 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 95 total minor league innings. His walks-per-nine (BB/9) is rather concerning at 5.0, though it did improve a bit this past summer at High-A Everett. The 21-year-old left-hander was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of a high school in Alberta.

Macko allowed five hits without a walk in the contest. Missing bats has not been a problem whatsoever for the 21-year-old as a professional, and he’s struck out 29 batters over 16 innings to begin the 2022 season, and 117 in his 72 2/3 career frames. A 2019 seventh-round pick out of Canada, Macko has started to fill out his frame, and it’s helped him get up to 97 mph with his fastball that has plenty of movement. HE also shows an above-average slider with a solid curve, and he’s making progress on his change. Macko needs to work on his command, but if it can can get to even average, he has a chance to be a fantasy-relevant starter.