After being placed on waivers earlier in the week, Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Kevin Kiermaier officially cleared on Friday.
The veteran outfielder told Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae and Ben Nicholson-Smith that general manager Ross Atkins informed of the news earlier in the day.
While the waiver process generally happens behind closed doors, it was reported Thursday that Toronto had placed Kiermaier on waivers, with the outfielder later confirming that the process was ongoing to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Arden Zwelling.
The claim period takes two days once a player is placed on waivers, so Kiermaier was likely posted on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old picked up two hits in Toronto’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants, bumping his slash line to .191/.238/.295 on the season. He has also hit three home runs, but is striking out in a career-high 32.3 per cent of his at-bats.
While appearing on Blair & Barker on Friday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider talked about the conversation in which he informed the 12-year MLB veteran that he was on waivers.
“I think out of respect for (Kiermaier), just wanted to have him hear it from me and from the organization before he saw it online or something like that,” Schneider said about telling him after Thursday’s win. “(Kiermaier) understood it, he understands where he is, kinda where we are, all that kind of stuff.
“He understood it. It’s something that’s new and a little bit awkward, but he’s cleared and he’s with us today… It was pretty straightforward. It’s always tough because you’re having that conversation because you’re where you’re at and the individual probably isn’t at where he wants to be.”
Players are allowed to continue playing with their current team while placed on waivers, but if they are to be claimed, teams can not pull the player back.
Now that Kiermaier has cleared, the Blue Jays will have seven days to release him, but still have the option of keeping the four-time Gold Glover on their roster. He is in the starting lineup, playing centre and batting eighth on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks
