Loup set to return, provide lefty help in bullpen

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. ET game time).

Loup missed Games 4 and 5 of the series because of a personal family matter. He temporarily left the team Tuesday morning and his status for the remainder of the ALCS was up in the air.

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The 27-year-old had yet to officially rejoin the Blue Jays as of Thursday afternoon, but he was expected to arrive later in the day.

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"I haven't seen him, but yeah, he's supposed to be back," Toronto manager John Gibbons said about Loup.

Loup's return 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, allowing 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.