TORONTO -- The Blue Jays made a series of roster moves prior to Saturday's game in Toronto, placing catcher Russell Martin on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left oblique.
"Who knows how long those take," said manager John Gibbons. "He's a little different. He'll push himself to get back as quick as possible. But if he's hurt, you know he's hurt."
Martin left Friday's series opener against the Pirates after one inning and was replaced by Raffy Lopez. Catcher Mike Ohlman was selected from Triple-A Buffalo to replace Martin on the roster.
Chris Rowley was also officially added to the roster for Saturday's start, which will be his Major League debut. In 106 1/3 innings pitched between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo this season, Rowley has posted a 2.29 ERA and will have an opportunity to earn another start if he pitches well given the Blue Jays' uncertainties at the back of their rotation.
Right-handed reliever Chris Smith was designated for assignment after another brief stint on the 25-man roster. Smith was brought up on Friday when Taylor Cole was placed on the disabled list with a fractured toe and did not make an appearance.
Chris Coghlan was also designated for assignment to add balance for the 40-man roster. Coghlan landed on the DL in mid-June with a left wrist contusion and had recently begun a rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Dunedin.
Sanchez could be headed to bullpen
Aaron Sanchez has been on the disabled list since July 22 as he continues to deal with blister issues, but Gibbons suggested on Saturday that Sanchez could finish the season as a reliever.
"He can be coming out of the bullpen, possibly," Gibbons said. "There's not a lot of games left down in the Minor Leagues to build up on. I do think it's important that he finishes the season pitching one way or the other. But I don't know if you could really do it as a starter.
"He's running out of time. But I think that that would be good for his psyche going into the offseason."
The 2018 season is a clear factor in this rationale as Sanchez has worked just 44 innings this season after throwing 201 2/3 between the regular season and playoffs last season. In his eight MLB starts this season, Sanchez has posted a 4.25 ERA.