ST. LOUIS -- Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez is nearing a return and will likely be activated from the 10-day disabled list in time for a start vs. the Rays on Sunday afternoon.
Sanchez has been out since April 14 with a blister on his right middle finger. He threw a bullpen session on Thursday and will pitch off a mound again on Friday before receiving final clearance to start against Tampa Bay.
"The plan is Sanchy will throw a bullpen again tomorrow," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said on Thursday morning. "If all's good, he'll pitch Sunday and [Marco] Estrada will go Monday."
The news is not as positive for Toronto lefty J.A. Happ, who is currently on the DL with inflammation in his left elbow. Happ initially hoped to pitch during this current series in St. Louis, but that was ruled out earlier this week.
Happ threw a side session last week in Toronto but did not travel with the team on its seven-game road trip through Anaheim and St. Louis. It's not immediately clear when Happ will be able to get back on the mound.
"No," Gibbons said when asked if Happ had a setback in his rehab. "Happ is just in a holding pattern. ... He's just not ready to crank it up yet. I don't know what that means. Hopefully nothing."
Barnes joins Blue Jays for nightcap
Toronto's doubleheader vs. the Cardinals on Thursday meant the club was allowed to temporarily add a 26th man to its roster for the nightcap. The Blue Jays opted to use that spot to recall right-hander Danny Barnes from Triple-A Buffalo.
Barnes previously made three appearances for the Blue Jays this season and did not allow a run over 3 2/3 innings. The expectation is that he will be returned to Buffalo following the completion of Thursday's second game.