Why Blue Jays are parting ways with Eloy Jimenez despite .290 average

Why Blue Jays are parting ways with Eloy Jimenez despite .290 average originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Eloy Jimenez didn't really do anything wrong in his time with the Toronto Blue Jays.

He's on his way out of the clubhouse anyway.

The Blue Jays have designated Jimenez for assignment on Wednesday, according to reporter Hazel Mae.

The DFA means that Jimenez is removed from the 40-man roster. He has to be placed on waivers, so any other team could claim him.

If he passes through waivers, he could conceptually be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo, although many veteran players have a clause that allows them to opt-out rather than report to Triple-A. It remains to be seen whether that applies to Jimenez.

He was batting .290 early in his Blue Jays tenure, but now he's been sent away.

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Why did Blue Jays DFA Eloy Jimenez?

This is all about George Springer.

Mae reported that, in conjunction with the Jimenez move, the Blue Jays are activating Springer from the IL.

Springer is the regular DH, so with him back, there's really nowhere for Jimenez to play.

He was called up when Springer got hurt to start in that spot, especially against left-handed pitching.

With Springer back, though, Jimenez becomes redundant. He had yet to show his power stroke, not homering in his action in MLB so far this season, so that didn't help his cause.

Toronto might also feel that a guy without much of a defensive position could make it through waivers and stay with the organization anyway. Jimenez already spent time with Triple-A Buffalo this season, so he likely won't mind returning there.