The Toronto Blue Jays made a plethora of roster moves on Friday before their series against the New York Yankees.
Toronto announced that the team has recalled fan-favorite utility player Davis Schneider and placed Josh Smith on the 10-day IL due to left hamstring inflammation, retroactive to August 20. Toronto also activated Spencer Arrighetti from the IL and optioned Brendan Cellucci to Triple-A.
🔹 RHP Spencer Arrighetti reinstated from the 15-day IL and will be active tonight
🔹 INF/OF Davis Schneider recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight
🔹 LHP Brendan Cellucci optioned to Triple-A
🔹 INF Josh Smith (left hamstring inflammation) placed
“ROSTER MOVES: RHP Spencer Arrighetti reinstated from the 15-day IL and will be active tonight. INF/OF Davis Schneider recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight. LHP Brendan Cellucci optioned to Triple-A. INF Josh Smith (left hamstring inflammation) placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to August 20,” the Blue Jays wrote on X.
Schneider is in his fourth MLB season and is a fan favorite in Toronto for his look and his play style. He can play second base and the outfield. Schneider was selected in the 28th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by Toronto and was a major success story for the team’s development. He’s hitting .142 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs this season.
Arrighetti, meanwhile, will pitch on Friday at some point against the Yankees. Mason Fluharty will open the game, but Arrighetti will pitch the bulk of the innings. Toronto acquired Arrighetti at the deadline for Daulton Varsho.
Cellucci didn’t pitch in a game for the Blue Jays after being recalled on August 19.
Arrighetti Will Factor Into Friday’s Plans
Arrighetti was expected to be activated off the injured list ahead of the Yankees series, but Schneider’s promotion was a surprise.
Toronto has a four-man rotation due to injuries, but Arrighetti could take over the fifth spot, as he’s in the midst of his return. He isn’t fully stretched out but could go 3-4 innings on Friday against the Yankees after Fluharty starts.
Arrighetti was on the injured list when Toronto acquired him, and he exited his first rehab start due to an injury. He was diagnosed with Morton’s neuroma, a condition related to a damaged or enlarged nerve that causes pain in the bottom of the foot.
The right-hander can take over the Blue Jays’ fifth starter spot while Jameson Taillon and Trey Yesavage are injured. Arrighetti can also factor into the Blue Jays rotation for the next few years as he’s under control through 2029.
Blue Jays Battling for Playoff Spot
Toronto is battling for a playoff spot and is coming off a series win over the Rays.
The Blue Jays bats are starting to come to life, and Schneider was impressed with them.
“That was impressive to come in against that pitching staff and not only to pitch the way we did against them, for the most part, but to have the offensive approach be pretty consistent (but) different every night was pretty encouraging,” said manager John Schneider.
“First game here, you try to grind (Nick) Martinez and get into the bullpen and just try to be stubborn against (Drew) Rasmussen and then try to do some damage against (Ian) Seymour, who strikes out a lot of right-handed hitters, we know that. Just taking one game for what it is and understanding what you need to do to try to beat the opponent that night.”
The Blue Jays are 63-66 and 0.5 games back of a Wild Card spot.
Blue Jays Promote Fan-Favorite Utility Man Before Yankees Series