Blue Jays make pair of minor moves fully aware bigger decisions await
Return of Nathan Lukes and Nick Sandlin add to outfield and bullpen
Article content
The Blue Jays did some tinkering to their outfield an bullpen on Friday.
But whether or not the moves are a precursor to something more major down the road remains to be seen.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Blue Jays make pair of minor moves fully aware bigger decisions await Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
So much of what will be done to cement the Jays as playoff contenders is dependent on health.
Health was the reason why outfielder Nathan Lukes and reliever Nick Sandlin wound up on the injured list, but both were re-instated on Friday and available for Friday night’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox at the Rogers Centre.
Lukes started in left field and batted seventh.
Veteran reliever Erik Swanson was DFA’d by the club, a move many had expected given his struggles, while outfielder Will Robertson and lefty reliever Justin Bruihl were optioned to the minors.
The bigger picture involves the July 31 trade deadline and how the Blue Jays are positioned in the weeks leading up to a time when a deal of consequence might be enough to push the team over the line.
Keep in mind, however, that the Jays have fashioned their recent surge without the services of starting outfielders Anthony Santander and Daulton Varsho, along with a quality bullpen arm in Yimi Garcia.
And perhaps the biggest potential domino is veteran starter Max Scherzer, who hurt his thumb in his Blue Jays debut back in the season-series opener against the Orioles.
In terms of progress, it’s been going well for the right-hander, but until he’s on the mound in a big-league game no one is sure what the future holds.
Scherzer is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday and, barring a setback, is likely to make a start next week when the Jays are in Cleveland.
It’s an interesting time for the Blue Jays, who have played well, with the interest surrounding the ball club only to intensify as they remain in the hunt for a wild-card spot with hopes of catching the AL-leading New York Yankees, who have slipped a bit atop their perch.
The Bronx Bombers will be in town later in the month with a return visit to the Rogers Centre on tap next month.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.