Joey Loperfido the undeserving odd-man out as Blue Jays deal with enviable roster crunch

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The Blue Jays were fully aware of the unavoidable roster crunch the moment injured players made their way back.

That moment arrived Saturday before the start of their late-afternoon first pitch against the visiting Texas Rangers.

At the end of the day, tough roster decisions are a byproduct of a deep roster, the kind of decisions good teams welcome.

As George Springer was welcomed back following that scary late-July night in Baltimore when he took a fastball off the left side of his head, the Blue Jays had to option Joey Loperfido to triple-A Buffalo.

In terms of merit, Loperfido did not deserve his demotion. Since his callup, Loperfido was batting .358 in 89 plate appearances, to go with three homers and a .915 OPS, not exactly numbers that warrant a demotion.

More than anything, however, the young outfielder became a victim of a major-league roster that features 13 positional players.

He also has minor-league options.

With rosters able to expand in September, it would surprise no one to see Loperfido back with the club.

“At this point, there’s not really a person deserving of being optioned,” Schneider told reporters during his pre-game availability.
“He understood that. He got that. Joey handled it like a pro. He’s obviously bummed, but he understood that it’s where we’re at. It’s definitely a tough one, especially because what he’s been working on has translated up here.”

Loperfido had the right mindset and work ethic when he was in triple-A, an approach he brought with him to the big leagues.

Everyone is expecting that Loperfido will continue to embrace the same philosophy, which is why he’ll be soon back.

Perhaps even sooner if an injury strikes.

Saturday’s Jays roster was as complete as it’s been this season.

Anthony Santander has finally resumed swinging the bat following his protracted shoulder injury, but the switch-hitting slugger’s return is still a ways off — perhaps in late-September.

The other injured player of note is Yimi Garcia (elbow), a key bullpen arm when he’s healthy. But he, too, may not make it back this season.

The acquisitions at the trade deadline of Seranthony Dominguez and Louis Varland were a tacit acknowledgment of the severity of Garcia’s injury.

With right-hander Shane Bieber expected to make his Jays debut next week, decisions to the starting rotation will have to be made, or at least tweaks on how the rotation lines up in the presence of six quality starters.

As for Springer, who missed the team’s previous16 games after being placed on the seven-day concussion injured list, he was back in the lineup on Saturday and batting leadoff for the first time this season.

At least for the time being, the Jays’ lineup, per manager John Schneider, will be fluid.

A leadoff-by-committee approach has been in effect with the likes of Andres Gimenez, Bo Bichette, Ernie Clement, Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes in the hole. Even Loperfido has hit leadoff.