Howell will play for the San Rafael Pacifics in 2018, John Shea of SFGate.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howell appeared in 16 games for the Blue Jays last season, accruing a 7.36 ERA and 1.82 WHIP with six strikeouts across 11 innings. He'll try his luck in an independent league, although he stated his goal is to return to the major leagues before he calls it a career.

The Blue Jays designated Howell for assignment Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Toronto had earmarked Howell for a key role as a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen after signing him to a one-year, $3 million deal in free agency last winter, but it proved to be a swing and a miss from the front office. When he wasn't sidelined for extended time due to recurring shoulder woes, Howell was often getting lit up by the opposition, as he yielded nine runs on 13 hits and seven walks over 11 innings with the big club. If Howell ends up going unclaimed off waivers, he may just opt for free agency rather than reporting to Triple-A Buffalo in order to take more time off and allow his throwing shoulder to heal up.

Howell (shoulder) allowed a solo home run Friday against Houston in his first appearance since returning from a two-month DL stint.

EDGE Analysis

On his very first big-league pitch since June 3, Howell served up a homer to Tyler White. The lefty followed that up with 11 more pitches and three straight groundouts. Howell came into the game with the Jays down 15-7, and it's likely he'll continue serving in a low-leverage role that's useless for fantasy purposes.

Howell (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander missed nearly two months with this most recent shoulder issue. However, Howell's infrequent usage and 8.31 ERA on the season make him an unattractive fantasy asset, even in the deepest of AL-only leagues.

Howell (shoulder) allowed an earned run on three hits and a walk on 22 pitches (two outs) while taking the loss in Friday's rehab outing with Triple-A Buffalo, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

In 1.2 rehab innings, the lefty has allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits, one walk and a hit batsman. Needless to say, his rehab stint isn't going much better than Howell's poor showing in 13 MLB games this season (8.31 ERA, 2.19 WHIP, .324 BAA and a 5:7 K:BB). Regardless, the offseason acquisition will likely return to the Jays in short order, but he's certainly lost his grip on high-leverage work.

Howell (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is good news for the southpaw, as little had been revealed about his recovery process prior to this development. He's expected to pitch a few more outings with the Bisons, likely meaning he'll return to the Blue Jays' relief corps later in July.

Howell was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday, Gregor Chisolm of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager John Gibbons was vague on the injury, merely saying "It's all connected" when asked if this injury was connected to a prior shoulder issue. It's safe to assume, given Howell's brutal 8.31 ERA and 2.19 WHIP, that the Blue Jays won't be rushing him back. That is, if he even has a job at all by the time he's healthy again.

Howell's appeared in just four of Toronto's 22 contests in May.

EDGE Analysis

Manager John Gibbon's early-month concerns regarding the left have resulted in minimum usage for Howell. The 34-year-old was signed in the offseason to ease the loss of Brett Cecil, but his contributions (9.64 ERA and 2.79 WHIP) have fallen extremely short of doing such.

Howell's performance since returning from the DL has his manager, John Gibbons, concerned, Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

In three appearances since coming back from a shoulder injury, Howell has been ineffective at fulfilling his role as the Jays' go-to southpaw out of the bullpen. The 34-year-old gave up a home run in his first outing back, threw a wild pitch in his second appearance, and issued a free pass in his most recent game. Howell -- who endured a rough 2016 campaign -- has logged just 1.2 innings for his new team this year, allowing three runs on a few hits and three walks while failing to notch a strikeout through five games. He's also been tagged with a blown save and one loss over just 1.2 innings. The sample size is too small make any conclusions, but the fact that Gibbons has already expressed concerns is a bad sign.

Howell (shoulder) was activated from the DL on Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Now that he's back in full health, Howell will return to the Blue Jays' bullpen. During his rehab assignment at High-A Dunedin, Howell pitched two shutout innings over two games and struck out five batters. In a corresponding move, Toronto optioned Leonel Campos to Triple-A Buffalo.