Blue Jays Sign Michael Stefanic, Kevin Gowdy To Minor-League Deals
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed infielder Michael Stefanic and pitcher Kevin Gowdy to minor-league deals with invitations to spring training. Stefanic has played his entire professional career in the Angels' organization, having a successful minor league career that has yet to translate to the big league level. The 28-year-old has a career .331/.416/.445 slashline in the minors (1749 ABs), however, that line drops to .232/.317/.275 in the majors (233 ABs). Gowdy has yet to make his major league debut despite being drafted in 2016 after Tommy John surgery and the COVID season delayed his advancement. Over his minor league career, the righty owns a 5.18 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 270 strikeouts over 305 2/3 IP. Stefanic and Gowdy both figure to provide the Jays organizational depth for now.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Michael Stefanic (quadriceps) started a minor-league rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Monday. The 28-year-old left the first Cactus League game during spring training on Feb. 24 after feeling discomfort in his left quadriceps muscle. He was able to progress to running drills and baseball activity but suffered a setback in mid-March. Stefanic then underwent an MRI exam that showed a strain, causing him to open the 2024 season on the injured list. In his first rehab game on Monday, Stefanic went 1-for-2 with an RBI while playing only three innings at second base. He's going to spend a good amount of time on his rehab assignment considering his long layoff, but he'll be eligible to give the Angels more infield depth at the end of May.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Michael Stefanic (quadriceps) is running outdoors and taking live batting practice in camp on Wednesday. He is making progress, but there remains no timetable for his return to Cactus League games. Stefanic is working his way back from a left-quadriceps strain that he suffered on Feb. 24, but he appears to be recovering nicely and could still be ready for Opening Day on March 28. The 28-year-old right-handed-hitting infielder has appeared in 50 games for the Angels the last two seasons and has hit .244/.331/.293 with no home runs and six RBI in 140 plate appearances. He'll be hoping to win a backup infield role out of camp. Stefanic's only path to regular playing time in 2024 will probably be from an injury to Luis Rengifo.
Los Angles Angels infielder Michael Stefanic (quadriceps) has resumed baseball activities at camp on Wednesday. Stefanic suffered a left-quadriceps strain in the team's Cactus League game last Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and was held out of workouts since then. The 28-year-old appears to be recovering now, though, and he should be able to return to spring training action before long. He also has plenty of time still to get ready for Opening Day at the end of March. Stefanic is versatile on defense but won't have an everyday role unless Luis Rengifo misses time due to injury in 2024. In only 50 games played the last two years with the Angels, Stefanic has hit .244/.331/.293 with no homers, six RBI and 10 runs scored in 140 plate appearances.
Michael Stefanic Exits Saturday's Game With Injury
Los Angeles Angels infielder Michael Stefanic (quad) exited Saturday's Spring Training game with a left quad strain, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. The 28-year-old came on strong through 25 games with the Halos last year, slashing .290/.380/.355 with a solid 11.3 BB% and equally impressive 11.3 K%. Stefanic isn't regarded as a power hitter, nor is he an above-average defender. However, he has elite contact skills, which were on display in 2023 and put him on the fast track toward a spot on the Opening Day roster spot this year. Also working in his favor is the status of veteran third baseman Anthony Rendon, whose inability to stay healthy in recent years has emphasized the need for infield depth off the bench.
Los Angeles Angels rookie infielder Michael Stefanic is starting at second base and is hitting leadoff on Tuesday against Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia. Tuesday will be Stefanic's eighth major league game, and he hasn't hit higher than sixth in the batting order in his previous seven contests. But the 26-year-old has gone 7-for-18 (.389) with a double and three runs scored in his first taste of big-league pitching, and the struggling Angels will give him a shot atop the lineup against Houston. The Angels' No. 24 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, hit .320/.410/.399 with an .808 OPS, a homer, 19 RBI, 30 runs and three steals in 46 games for Triple-A Salt Lake in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League before his call-up.
Kevin Gowdy
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Blue Jays
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