Blue Jays designate Drew Storen for assignment

The Blue Jays have designated right-hander Drew Storen for assignment, according to a team announcement. Toronto will have 10 days to trade, release or waive Storen.

Storen, 28, was acquired in an offseason trade for Ben Revere but has struggled to a horrendous 6.21 ERA in 33.1 innings. The right-hander is a free agent after the season, and was expected to be a significant addition to the back of the Jays’ bullpen.

Toronto will likely look to trade Storen before the trade deadline next Monday, and may find some interested clubs considering the wide need for pitching help throughout the league. The Jays’ leverage in trade talks has been minimized due to his decreased value and the timetable that comes with a DFA, so teams looking for a bargain reclamation project may look at Storen as an option compared to some better options that are available.

In seven major-league seasons with the Nationals (2010-15) and Blue Jays (2016), Storen has posted a career 22-16 record and 3.31 ERA in 393 appearances out of the bullpen.