Toronto Blue Jays claim Jimmy Cordero off waivers from Washington Nationals...

In order to make room on the 40-Man roster for the addition of free agent Gerardo Parra, the Washington Nationals designated reliever Jimmy Cordero for assignment last week.

Earlier this afternoon, the Nationals confirmed reports which said that the Toronto Blue Jays claimed the right-hander on waivers and assigned 27-year-old to their Triple-A affiliate.

Cordero was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies for a Player to be Named Later in late 2016 (reliever Mario Sanchez), and the Dominican-born pitcher made his major league debut for the Nationals last season, putting up a 5.68 ERA, a 5.48 FIP, 12 walks (5.68 BB/9), and 12 Ks (5.68 BB/9) in 22 games and 19 innings.

The hard-throwing reliever averaged 98 MPH with his fastball last season, but opposing hitters had a .400 AVG, three doubles, and two home runs on the pitch.

Cordero talked this winter about what he learned about his own game in his first taste of big league action.

“I felt like my straight [fastball] was like my best pitch,” Cordero explained, “but the batters at this level are much better, so I really realized I need to take a step back and those pitches that I thought maybe were my strong ones I really need to perfect those because it’s just a different level here.”

Cordero was pitching at Triple-A Fresno in the Nats’ system this year before the DFA, with a 6.00 ERA, a 5.74 FIP, nine walks (5.40 BB/9), and 17 Ks (10.20 K/9) in 12 games and 15 IP, over which he earned three saves.