TORONTO -- Prior to Sunday’s Grapefruit League game against the Tigers in Dunedin, the Blue Jays informed No. 5 prospect Alejandro Kirk, Tim Mayza, Trent Thornton and Rowdy Tellez that they’ve made the Opening Day roster.

Kirk is the headliner here, bringing the Blue Jays’ catching picture into focus, though the 22-year-old has clearly been the club’s best option to pair with Danny Jansen throughout camp. Catching behind Jansen with some DH reps possible, Kirk gives Toronto an advanced, high-contact bat, and the organization trusts he can round out his development in the Major Leagues after his 2020 debut. Manager Charlie Montoyo says the Blue Jays are still discussing what's next for out-of-options catcher Reese McGuire.

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Mayza’s rise is admirable, as the left-hander was coming off Tommy John surgery in late 2019 and not expected to be a serious contender for a roster spot. He changed that narrative, throwing 6 2/3 innings of scoreless ball with six strikeouts, showing tremendous life on his two-seam fastball. Don’t expect Toronto to push Mayza too hard early in the season, but he gives Montoyo yet another arm with high-leverage upside.

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Joining Mayza in the bullpen will be Thornton, the right-hander who’s just two years removed from leading the Blue Jays in starts and innings.

Thornton’s 2020 season was cut short by bone spurs in his right elbow, though, so while the club still views him as a starter long-term, he’s returning in a bullpen role and could have some real upside there. As a starter, Thornton often found trouble in the middle innings, but allowing him to max out over one trip through the order should give him a chance to succeed.

Latest on Springer
George Springer’s Grade 2 left oblique strain remains a “day to day” issue, Montoyo said after Sunday's 4-4 tie against the Tigers, and it’s a decision that general manager Ross Atkins and the organization might try to take down to the wire.

“Very encouraged by his progress to date,” Atkins said on Sunday’s Sportsnet broadcast. “We will not make a decision on that, obviously, until we have to, but each step of the way has been encouraging. [Springer is] extremely strong. He’s a very strong baseball player, and he’s obviously very tough, so we need to make sure that we’re managing those two components as we make this decision because he wants to be in there so bad.”

Davis gets the good news
There’s always been a role for Jonathan Davis with the 2021 Blue Jays, but given the uncertainty surrounding Springer’s oblique strain approaching Opening Day, Davis' opportunity starts now.

Davis was called into Montoyo’s office by third-base coach Luis Rivera on Saturday where Montoyo started, as he often does, by asking about Davis’ family. Then, he got down to business.

“He went on to say I made the roster, and I think my reaction was like, I think I said, ‘For real?'” Davis recalled. “Man, I was so surprised considering the group of guys that we have in the outfield, but of course, that was always my goal: to go out there and compete, and try to help this team win this year.”

Turning two in style
Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien look just fine together. To close out the fourth inning, Bichette ranged behind the bag to field a ground ball before making a stylish flip to Semien, who fired to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first for the double play. The Blue Jays should be a better defensive team in 2021, and this duo is one reason why.

Stripling ends on a high note
Ross Stripling looked sharp in his final Grapefruit League start Sunday before opening the season in the rotation, throwing 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball on 70 pitches before throwing 10 more in the bullpen. He felt good about his fastball, but is realistic about the role that pitch plays in his broader arsenal.

“I’m most likely going to get guys out with the other three pitches. That’s why I only [threw] 30-something percent fastballs," Stripling said. "I’ve got to aim small, miss small with those heaters because that’s the pitch I give up the most damage with. I think I gave up 14 homers on fastballs last year, so it’s very much about knowing the safe zones and a really heightened need to execute those fastballs.”