The Toronto Blue Jays signed relief pitcher Luis Frias from the Diamondbacks on Saturday, ending the 26-year-old’s nearly nine-year tenure with Arizona.
Frias earned a spot in Arizona’s bullpen during the final stretch of last season and into October. He made seven postseason appearances and allowed one earned run in 6.2 innings – although he did allow three unearned runs in Game 4 of the World Series.
The hard-throwing right-hander made the Opening Day roster after training camp, but got off to a poor start with seven earned runs and 11 hits allowed in 6.1 innings.
The D-backs placed him on the 15-day injured list on April 17 due to inflammation in his right shoulder. He never pitched again for the team, which sent him to Triple-A Reno upon his return on June 6. Frias pitched 24 innings for the Aces with a 4.88 ERA, 24 strikeouts and 11 walks.
In total, Frias threw 57.2 innings for the Diamondbacks in four seasons with an ERA of 6.55.
Arizona traded him for a new player on Friday to make room for catcher Andrew Knizner, who was signed from the Texas Rangers as a backup catcher after Gabriel Moreno suffered a groin injury.
Arizona’s 40-man roster remains at 40 players, although the club will have to clear another spot on Sunday, with Merrill Kelly expected to return from the 60-day injured list.
