The pitching staff added two players but lost one to injury. Adam Bristcoe, a fixture at stopper for the last four years, is out with a sprained ankle and expected to miss a week. In his stead will be Enzo Bouton, who was acquired from Twin Cities during the All-Star break. Bouton has made 17 appearances with a 1.78 ERA (213 ERA+) and has earned the trust of manager Paul Scholes. Pablo Guerrero and Randall Cotton add depth the bullpen. Cotton served as the team's closer before falling out of favor and being sent down to AAA New Jersey. He will serve as a middle inning option and backup up Wlodz Sidelsky in the setup role. Guerrero arrived in trade from Austin during the All-Star break and was assigned to AAA New Jersey, where he made ten starts with a 3.71 ERA (111 ERA+) and a 1.21 WHIP. He has previous BBA experience and is expected to fill a long relief role for the Blazers down the stretch.
Four position players were added as depth pieces. None are expected to play important roles.
Jim Garrick
Jim Garrick, 23, gives the team a third catcher although he is not as skilled defensively; he will also serve as a left-handed pinch hitter with serious power. After being demoted from AAA to AA to make room for veteran catcher Luis 'Shameless' Gonzáles, he hit .348/.442/.712 (203 OPS+) against right-handed pitching, with seven homers in 77 plate appearances.
Cisco 'Big Hoss' Cintrón
Cisco Cintrón, 26, is another lefty who gives the team needed depth at first base and can play corner outfield in a pinch. This is his third BBA stint this season, having previously appeared in 20 games for Valencia as a result of the Rule 5 draft and then 13 games with Montreal after his return. He hit .317/.387/.523 (144 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 5 triples, 13 home runs, and 15 steals in AAA this season. He possesses plus-plus speed and has excellent base stealing instincts, giving the team another pinch running option.
Félix Álvarez
Félix Álvarez, 26, adds depth to the right side of the infield. He can play first base well and is decent at second base. He hit .337/.379/.454 (125 OPS+) with 21 doubles in AAA this season.
Ramón Garza
Ramón Garza, only 19, is a right-handed slugger who will serve chiefly as a late inning pinch hitter. In AA he hit .291/.371/.718 (184 OPS+) with 13 home runs in 103 at-bats versus left-handed pitching. He can play left field without embarrassing himself.
Montreal's regular shortstop, Reynaldo Serrano, is enduring his third stint on the injured list this season, having started only twenty games. His strained hamstring is expected to heal before the end of the regular season. He should be available if the Blazers make the playoffs.
