Relief pitcher Anthony Banda. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Blue Jays acquire reliever Anthony Banda in a trade with Pirates

By Adam Stites | Last updated 7/2/22

The Toronto Blue Jays traded to acquire left-handed relief pitcher Anthony Banda from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced Saturday.

Banda, 28, made his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 before he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. He later had brief stints with the San Francisco Giants organization and New York Mets before he was claimed by the Pirates in 2021. Banda was a fixture in the Pittsburgh bullpen, making 48 appearances since first joining the team last August.

This season, he's appeared in 23 games and allowed 14 runs in 19.2 innings pitched. Banda struck out 22 batters with five walks.

The acquisition of a veteran arm came on the same day that Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman was injured by a line drive off of his foot.

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman is hit by a comebacker in the top of the second inning. pic.twitter.com/PuCl1RYjUa
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Gausman exited in the second inning of the Saturday matchup against the Rays due to what the Blue Jays called a "right ankle contusion." The team said Gausman underwent X-rays that came back negative.

Toronto signed Gausman to a five-year, $110 million contract in December. Last season, the pitcher earned his first career All-Star honors with the San Francisco Giants and finished the year with a 14-6 record and 2.81 ERA. This season, Gausman has a 2.86 ERA and 6-6 record with the Blue Jays.

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