SEATTLE -- Ken Giles joined the Blue Jays on Thursday. The newly acquired reliever came to Toronto in the trade that sent Roberto Osuna to Houston.
Giles was involved in a verbal spat with Astros manager A.J. Hinch prior to a demotion to Triple-A, but the first meeting between Blue Jays manager John Gibbons and Giles seemed positive.
"Had a nice talk with him when he first got here; seemed like a good guy," Gibbons said. "Those things happen in baseball. I've been part of them."
Giles conceded that he wished he had done a better job concealing aspects of his situation with Hinch, but also reported a good first talk with his new manager.
"We talked about people we knew, we were associated with," Giles said. "With open arms to me, he just told me to be myself and that's what I'm going to do."
Giles has posted a 0-2 record with a 4.99 ERA this season, a big step backward from a 2017 campaign in which he picked up saves in 34 of 38 opportunities with a 2.30 ERA. Gibbons said he would give Giles an inning of work before thrusting him into the closer's role. Giles said part of his adjustment will involve improving his fastball.
Roster moves
The Blue Jays signed Mike Hauschild, a 27-year-old righty with eight innings of big league experience for the Rangers last season. He has put up a 4.88 ERA in 19 starts at Triple-A Fresno this season. He was recently released by Houston.
Hauschild may enter the rotation, Gibbons said.
Utility man Darnell Sweeney and outfielder John Smith were optioned to Buffalo to make room for Giles and Hauschild. Gibbons said he does not anticipate keeping his bench at just two men for longer than Thursday's game.
Pillar on the mend
Gibbons said outfielder Kevin Pillar could return to action this weekend in Seattle. Pillar last played on July 14 and has been sidelined with a sprained right SC joint.