Blue Jays' Delabar shocked after demotion

Steve Delabar says he was in disbelief Thursday morning when the Toronto Blue Jays optioned the 31-year-old reliever to minor-league camp without so much as an explanation.

"I thought I was going to be a part of this bullpen from the start," he told reporters. "They told me that some other guys have stepped up. I’m assuming it’s some of the younger guys."

Delabar, who was scheduled to throw in the second of back-to-back outings Thursday, said he was blindsided by the demotion and was resolved to reclaim a spot in the bullpen this year after spending time in the minors last season because of command issues. 

Delabar, an All-Star in 2013, pitched to a 3.86 ERA with nine strikeouts to one walk over seven innings this spring, though he admitted he does not believe the move was performance-related. Delabar has a minor-league option remaining, meaning the Blue Jays can send him to Triple-A without placing him on waivers.

"We need a multiple-inning guy.," manager John Gibbons said following the announcement. "He’s basically right now a one-inning pitcher. That’s what it came down to."

The move is expected to clear room for the team to carry one or two of its highly touted 20-year-olds. Roberto Osuna and Miguel Castro continue to impress officials this spring and are both in the mix to claim a roster spot.