On Friday evening, the Toronto Blue Jays will be in Texas to open up a series with the Rangers.
They most recently beat the Detroit Tigers by a score of 5-1 (at home).
That said, the Blue Jays lost two out of three games in the series.
Former Toronto Blue Jays Slugger Quickly Released
Ahead of Friday’s game, news came out that a former Blue Jays player had been released by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
MLB.com wrote (on September 18): “Arizona Diamondbacks released LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr..”
Gurriel Jr. had been designated for assignment earlier this week.
Underdog MLB wrote (on September 13): “Lourdes Gurriel Jr. designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks.”
Looking At Gurriel Jr.
Gurriel Jr. spent the first five years of his career with the Blue Jays.
In 2019, he hit 20 home runs in just 84 games.
He also hit 21 home runs with 84 RBIs during the 2021 season (in 141 games).
Following his run with Toronto, Gurriel Jr. had been with the Diamondbacks for the last four years.
He made the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.
Before his release, the 32-year-old had been batting .210 with 39 hits, two home runs, 22 RBIs, 13 runs and one stolen base in 51 games this year.
Looking At The Blue Jays Right Now
The Blue Jays are currently the fourth-place team in the American League East with a 76-77 record in 153 games.
They have gone 4-6 over their last ten games (and are 36-39 in 75 games on the road).
Following their series with the Rangers, the Blue Jays will remain on the road to visit Pete Alonso and the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday at Camden Yards in Maryland.
Right now, they are 2.0 games out of the final Wild Card spot.
Former Toronto Blue Jays Slugger Quickly Released By Current Team