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Well before first pitch in the first game of a three-game series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, the Blue Jays were making news.
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For the first time in quite some time, the news was good, unless you happened to be Yariel Rodriguez, whom the club designated for assignment.
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Mind you, there’s plenty of good surrounding Y-Rod’s essential demotion given his lack of production when the righty has been on the mound.
Tommy Nance has been reinstated, one of many positive developments to emerge.
Kirk back by Friday?
Arguably the best news involves two-time all-star catcher Alejandro Kirk, who fractured the thumb on his glove hand back in April.
The way manager John Schneider explained it when he convened for his pre-game availability, Kirk could be back with the big-league club as early as Friday when the New York Yankees come to town for the first time since last fall’s American League Division Series.
One of the biggest areas of deficiency that has prevented the reigning AL champions from developing some kind of consistency has been the lineup.
Kirk’s imminent return won’t cure it, but his presence in the middle of the order will certainly help.
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Once he’s activated, the Jays will have to make a corresponding move.
Who is odd man out?
Under no circumstance should Brandon Valenzuela be the odd-man out.
The kid has been a major revelation, crushing his seventh home run in Sunday’s win over the Orioles in the series rubber match that moved Valenzuela into second place on the club dinger list.
That leaves Tyler Heineman as the presumptive roster casualty.
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Starters return
Besides the pitching moves associated with Nance and Y-Rod, the skipper also announced Dylan Cease will make the start Tuesday.
In addition, Max Scherzer will get the ball in Wednesday’s series finale.
Thursday is an off day for the Blue Jays, but it might be a day when additional moves get made, if not announced before the Aaron Judge-less Bronx Bombers come to town for a weekend series.
Perhaps bullpen days will be a thing of the past for the Jays knowing Shane Bieber is scheduled to pitch a side session at Rogers Centre before the former Cy Young Award winner will get the start in triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.
In other news on Monday, Schneider announced Trey Yesavage’s next start has been pushed back to Friday.
Yesavage has not looked good in his past two outings, both against Baltimore.
As clarity comes into focus and as injured arms return, Spencer Miles will return to a mixed relief role, per Schneider.
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