Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Loup expected back in 'pen for Game 6

Lefty reliever missed Games 4 and 5 for personal matter

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays expect to have left-hander Aaron Loup back in the bullpen for Friday night's Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Royals (7 p.m. ET air time on FOX Sports 1/Sportsnet, 8 p.m. game time).

Loup missed Games 4 and 5 of the series because of a personal family matter. He temporarily left the team on Tuesday morning, and his status for the remainder of the ALCS was up in the air. The news of Loup's expected return was first reported by FoxSports.

Dress for the ALCS with Blue Jays gear

The return of Loup should go a long way in providing more depth to a bullpen that is without lefty Brett Cecil because of a torn left calf muscle. Cecil possibly could return for the World Series if the Blue Jays advance, but he is not eligible for the ALCS.

Loup has made four appearances in the postseason, with one earned run over two innings. He will be used as a situational left-hander out of the bullpen and will combine with Mark Lowe and Aaron Sanchez as the primary setup men for closer Roberto Osuna.

Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB and Facebook, and listen to his podcast.
Read More: Toronto Blue Jays, Aaron Loup