Blue Jays Option LHP Daniel Norris to Bisons, RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx to Start for Herd

May 1, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release

The Toronto Blue Jays today announced that they have selected the contract of LHP ANDREW ALBERS from the Buffalo Bisons roster and optioned LHP DANIEL NORRIS to the Herd.

Additionally, the Bisons announced that RHP AUSTIN BIBENS-DIRKX has been promoted to the team from New Hampshire (AA).

Norris, 22, was 3-1 in four starts and five total appearances for the Bisons in 2014, posting a 3.18 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 22.2 innings of work. He became the first Bisons' pitcher in the modern era to record 10+ strikeouts in consecutive starts, including the most strikeouts for a left-handed pitcher in the team's modern era when he fanned 13 on August 15, 2014 at Lehigh Valley. Along with his time at Dunedin (A) and New Hampshire (AA) last year, Norris was 2nd among all Blue Jays minor league pitchers last season in wins (12-2) and strikeouts (163).

Norris was 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five starts with the Blue Jays this season (23.1 IP, 18 SO). He earned his first Major League win on April 9 when he defeated the Yankees in New York with 5.2 innings of three-run baseball.

Bibens-Dirkx is 0-0 with a 5.00 ERA in two starts for the Bisons this season. He was transferred from Buffalo to New Hampshire on April 26 and pitched in one game in relief (1.0 IP, 2 BB, SO) with the Fisher Cats before returning today for the Herd.

Albers has made four starts for the Bisons this year, going 1-3 with a 3.09 ERA. The southpaw has allowed just 22 hits in 23.1 innings of work with 12 strikeouts and six walks. Albers is tied for the Bisons team lead with three quality starts, including a complete game defeat in Pawtucket on April 21 (1) in an outing where he took a no-hitter into the seventh and final inning (6.1 IP, 2 H, R/ER, 2 BB, 4 SO).

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