Blue Jays claim switch pitcher Venditte

TORONTO — Prior to Game 3 of the ALCS Monday night, the Blue Jays claimed switch-pitcher Pat Venditte off waivers from the Athletics, the team announced. Infielder Darwin Barney was designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot.

Venditte, 30, had a 4.40 ERA (93 ERA+) in 28 2/3 innings across 26 appearances for Oakland this season. It was his first taste of MLB. Venditte spent seven seasons in the minors with the Yankees before hooking on with the A’s as a free agent last offseason.

Venditte is the only full-time switch-pitcher in big league history — Greg Harris also switch-pitched, but didn’t do it in a game until the very end of his career — and he did indeed throw with both arms while with the Athletics. Here’s some video:

According to PitchFX, Venditte has a mid-80s fastball from both sides of the mound. He has a sweepy low-70s slider and throws from a lower arm slot as a left-handed pitcher. A slightly harder mid-70s curveball is his go-to offspeed pitch as a righty.

Right-handed batters hit .274/.357/.484 (135 OPS+) against Venditte this season while lefties hit a weak .116/.188/.256 (21 OPS+). Perhaps his future lies as a left-on-left matchup reliever rather than someone who faces batters on both sides of the plate just because he throws with both arms.

Venditte is not eligible for the postseason roster, even if the Blue Jays advance to the World Series. Players must be in the organization by midnight August 31 to be postseason eligible.

Pat Venditte, seen here as a lefty, was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays. (USATSI)

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