Blue Jays recall outfield prospect Alford
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Touted Blue Jays prospect Anthony Alford is returning to the big league club.
Toronto recalled the versatile Alford from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday and optioned right-hander Jake Petricka in a corresponding move.
Alford, the club's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- behind only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, two of the game's top overall prospects -- could get immediate at-bats after outfielder Curtis Granderson left Friday's game against the Rays with hamstring tightness. The severity of Granderson's injury isn't immediately clear.
Alford had suffered his own hamstring injury in mid-April, a strain, after a strong showing in Spring Training. Yet in 10 games for Buffalo, he's hitting .154/.214/.179 with 16 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances. Alford played in just four big league games last year, going 1-for-8. He's the No. 45-ranked prospect in all of baseball.
Petricka gave up an earned run and three hits over 1 1/3 innings in Friday's 6-2 loss, which was his only MLB outing this year.