Blue Jays option Hendriks to Triple-A Buffalo

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays optioned starting pitcher Liam Hendriks to Triple-A Buffalo following Sunday's 4-0 win against the Royals. A corresponding roster move will be announced on Monday.

A change to the Blue Jays' pitching staff seemed imminent after Marcus Stroman was recalled to make a last-minute start on Saturday against Kansas City. After manager John Gibbons said Stroman had earned another start, the club was left with six starters and a six-man bullpen.

Hendriks had indicated on Saturday he'd be willing to move to the bullpen, but the Blue Jays had other plans.

"The thing with Hendriks, we keep him starting if something happens or we want to insert a guy for a start to give these guys a break," Gibbons said. "He could have gone down [to the bullpen] and been a long man, but we don't want him to start backsliding because we think he can help us as a starter as the season goes on."

The 25-year-old Hendriks went 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two starts since being recalled from the Bisons.