Marc Rzepczynski to become 5th Blue Jays starter to make big league debut

Another Toronto starter to make big league debut

NEW YORK — Left-hander Marc Rzepczynski will be brought up from the minor leagues by the Toronto Blue Jays to make his major league debut Tuesday night at Tampa Bay in place of Brad Mills, who has bruised ribs.

The 23-year-old Rzepczynski was 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA in two starts at Triple-A Las Vegas after going 7-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 14 starts at New Hampshire of the Double-A Eastern League.

Toronto manager Cito Gaston made the announcement following Monday’s 7-6 win over the New York Yankees. He did not say how Mills, who was to have been brought up from Las Vegas, had gotten hurt.

Rzepczynski will be the 12th starter for the Blue Jays this season and the fifth to make his major league debut. Rick Romero, Mills, Brett Cecil and Robert Ray made their big league debuts this year. Another, Scott Richmond, first came up last year and continues to have rookie status.

Toronto’s previous high for starters making their debuts in one year was four in 1977, the franchise’s first season.

Also, Toronto activated catcher Michael Barrett from the 15-day disabled list and sent him outright to Las Vegas. The Blue Jays announced infielder-outfielder Russ Adams cleared waivers and elected free agency.