Toronto Blue Jays Claim Cole Gillespie, Ruffin Retires

Just days after the Seattle Mariners designated OF Cole Gillespie for assignment, he was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Gillespie signed a minor league deal with the Mariners in January and was called up to give the M’s an extra right-handed bat. Gillespie produced a slash line of .254/.312/.324 in 78 plate appearances.

To make room for Gillespie on Toronto’s 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated OF Kenny Wilson for assignment. Wilson has been designated three times this season – twice by the Blue Jays. Toronto will still need to make a move to get Gillespie on the 25-man roster.

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Ruffin Retires

Tacoma Rainiers pitcher Chance Ruffin voluntarily retired after Thursday’s game at Cheney Stadium, as he returned home to his wife and newborn baby in Texas.

The 25-year old Ruffin was a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2010. He reached the majors with Detroit in 2011, then was traded to Seattle on July 30 along with Charlie Furbush and Casper Wells for Doug Fister – One of the worst trades in Mariners history.

Ruffin pitched in 22 games for the Mariners between 2011 and 2013, going 1-2 with a 5.70 ERA for Seattle. He appeared in 87 games for Tacoma in 2013, working as both a starter and a reliever. Ruffin was 3-3 with a 5.31 ERA in 22 appearances this year.

The Mariners placed Ruffin on the Voluntarily Retired List, and they retain his rights should he choose to play again. But now, only Furbush remains from that dreaded trade.

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2014/07/04/3213381/tacoma-rainiers-ride-jesus-montero.html?sp=/99/103/#storylink=cpy