Coveted Deadline Arm Unvaccinated for Covid-19; Will Not Make Trip to Toronto

Detroit Tigers pitcher Andrew Chafin is unvaccinated for Covid-19 and won't be making the trip to Toronto for the Tigers' four-game weekend series versus the Blue Jays.

This is actually a blow for the Blue Jays, a team that is looking to add some bullpen depth ahead of the August 02 trade deadline, and was most certainly looking at Chafin as an option for them.

This does not look like it will be an Andrew Benintendi-type situation, who said he will get vaccinated for Covid-19 following his trade to the New York Yankees. On the contrary, Chafin said that he has no intentions of receiving the shot. The direct quote from Chafin is, ''My wife and I have discussed it at length and we decided not to get vaccinated. It's an unfortunate situation, but family and health come first.'' 

Andrew Chafin: "Me and my wife talked about getting (the COVID-19 vaccine) or not getting it. We decided it was best for our family if we didn’t."

Would he consider getting vaxxed if he were traded to a contender?

"We’ll see what happens. If the situation calls for it, maybe." https://t.co/vA8bHfjowx

— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) July 27, 2022

As a result, it's obvious the Blue Jays will not be pursuing Chafin ahead of the trade deadline unless the pitcher changes his mind on the matter.

In 32 innings pitched this season, Chafin has been great for the Tigers, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.06 ERA, and 39 strikeouts in 32 innings. 

The thirty-two-year-old signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with Detroit this past March. The contract carries a $6.5 million club option (or $500,000 buyout) for 2023.

Photo Credit:  Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports