John Thomson sent packing by Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays shuffled their pitching staff Wednesday by releasing starter John Thomson, demoting Lee Gronkiewicz and recalling fellow rookie reliever Brian Wolfe.

Thomson, 33, was pencilled in as a potential fifth starter but he didn't throw a single pitch for the Blue Jays, spending the season on the disabled list with shoulder problems after signing Jan. 9 for $500,000 US.

The veteran right-hander posted a 2-4 record with a 4.58 earned-run average in seven (rehab) starts for the triple-A Syracuse SkyChiefs, but simply wasn't sharp enough to merit a promotion.

Thomson is 62-84 lifetime with a 4.69 ERA, 10 complete games and three shutouts in 214 games, including 210 starts, over nine MLB seasons for the Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves.

Gronkiewicz, 28, looked good in his major-league debut in Tuesday's 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The right-handed reliever surrendered just one run, on a solo home run by Toronto native Russell Martin, and two hits and two walks with two strikeouts over four innings.

Wolfe rejoins the Blue Jays for the second time this season.

The 26-year-old right-hander was promoted May 28 and made four relief appearances, allowing three runs — two earned — on five hits and one walk with one strikeout in 3 1/3 innings.