Blue Jays addad Adam Macko to 40-man roster
Toronto Blue Jays add the left-hand pitcher Adam Macko to their 40-man roster in order to protect him from other team taking the pitcher in Rule 5 draft.
Blue Jays roster had 38 players on Tuesday, so there was space for 2 more players, without crossing anyone out. Toronto decided to protect 22 year old Macko, who they got from Seattle Mariners in the previous season.
Just a reminder, players who signed with the club when 18 and younger have to be added to 40-men roster in 5 years to be protected from Rule 5 Draft. Players who signed their contract as 19 and older have to be added in 4 years.
Macko threw with ERA 4.81 in 20 starts with High-A Vancouver. He had 106 strikeouts and 40 walks. Left-hander had issues with injuries previously, including shoulder pain which ended his 2021 season, but 86 IP this year were his career max. He improve at the end of the season which prompted Blue Jays to add him to the roster, or risk being taken by a different club. Being added to 40-man roster moves Macko much closer to MLB and it could be possible to see him in the world’s top league by the end of the next season. If it happened, he would become the first player to start his career in Slovakia and play in MLB.
