It’s not just George Springer — meet the newest arrivals on the 2021 Blue Jays roster

By: Laura Armstrong - Staff Reporter, Toronto Star Posted: 7:24 PM CDT Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021 Last Modified: 12:20 PM CDT Thursday, Apr. 1, 2021

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George Springer isn’t the only new face joining the Blue Jays this year. Here are a few things you may not know about Toronto’s latest arrivals:

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George Springer isn’t the only new face joining the Blue Jays this year. Here are a few things you may not know about Toronto’s latest arrivals:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/03/2021 (1683 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

George Springer isn’t the only new face joining the Blue Jays this year. Here are a few things you may not know about Toronto’s latest arrivals:

Tyler Chatwood

Drafted by Los Angeles Angels, second round, 2008

Steve Nesius - THE CANADIAN PRESS
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien, one of the new faces on the team, tracks a fly ball in a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees on March 21 at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla. — Steve Nesius - THE CANADIAN PRESS Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien, one of the new faces on the team, tracks a fly ball in a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees on March 21 at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla.

Debut: April 11, 2011 vs. Cleveland Indians

Did you know? Chatwood is the only pitcher in Colorado Rockies history to pitch a complete game and notch a save in the same season. He and the Rockies shut out the San Francisco Giants 5-0 on April 15, 2017. Chatwood then earned a save out of Colorado’s bullpen against the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 9, 2017.

Steven Matz

Drafted by New York Mets, second round, 2009

Debut: June 28, 2015 vs. Cincinnati Reds

Did you know? Matz beat former Jay Marcus Stroman in a 2009 game that some fans in Long Island, N.Y., have dubbed “the most notable high school game in recent memory,” according to MLB.com. Stroman had 14 strikeouts to Matz’s 12 in the legendary pitching duel.

Tommy Milone

Drafted by Washington Nationals, 10th round, 2008

Debut: Sept. 3, 2011 vs. New York Mets

Did you know? Milone went into the 2020 season as a non-roster invitee with the Baltimore Orioles, his seventh big-league team. Four months later, in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic, he became Baltimore’s last-minute Opening Day starter after an injury to teammate John Means.

Joel Payamps

Signed as an international free agent with the Colorado Rockies in May 2011.

Debut: Aug. 23, 2019 vs. Colorado Rockies.

No, Payamps wasn’t a Rockies player by the time he made his big-league debut eight years after signing his first contract. His first big-league outing was against his former club, with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Payamps is the biggest opening day roster surprise for the Jays this season, after riding the waiver carousel since November.

David Phelps

Drafted by New York Yankees, 14th round, 2008

Debut: April 8, 2012 vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Did you know? The Jays have Phelps (in part) to thank for Thomas Hatch. Phelps’ strong start to 2019 with Toronto, a 3.63 ERA in 17 1/3 innings, made him a trade chip — which the Jays cashed in to bring in Hatch near the deadline.

Marcus Semien

Drafted by Chicago White Sox, sixth round, 2011

Debut: Sept. 4, 2013 vs. New York Yankees

Did you know? The Jays should be happy to have Semien on their side, if for no other reason than it means they don’t have to face him. His .314 career average against Toronto pitching is Semien’s third-best mark against any MLB team.　

George Springer

Drafted by Houston Astros, first round, 2011

Debut: April 16, 2014 vs. Kansas City Royals

Did you know? Springer has played 63 post-season games in his seven-year career, all with the Houston Astros. That equals the number of post-season games the Jays have played as a franchise since their MLB debut in the 1977 season. He will start the season on the injured list with a Grade 2 strain of his left oblique.

Kirby Yates

Drafted by Boston Red Sox, 26th round, 2005

Debut: For the Tampa Bay Rays, June 7, 2014 vs. Seattle Mariners

Did you know? Yates was one of the most highly anticipated Jays signings of the off-season, but he will now miss the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on March 25. Yates is still on the books for a one-year, $5.5 million US deal. A big blow for one of the most highly anticipated Jays signings of the off-season.

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Blue Jays Season Preview

MONDAY: Pete Walker, ‘pitching whisperer’

TUESDAY: Bold predictions, and the prospects

WEDNESDAY: Vladimir Guerrero, George Springer and other new faces and Star roundtable

THURSDAY: Wilner: Opening day a welcome distraction; Chisholm: Blue Jays in it for long haul and roster breakdown

April 1, 2021 — Update: This story has been changed from a previously published version to add Joel Payamps to the roster, and drops Anthony Castro after the final decisions were made prior to the game.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy