Blue Jays making few changes to ALDS roster

Happ, Sanchez to be added, while Goins, Tepera likely won't make cut

October 6th, 2016

ARLINGTON -- The Blue Jays are going to make a couple of minor changes to their 25-man roster before the American League Division Series rematch against the Rangers gets underway Thursday afternoon.
Toronto has yet to officially announce its roster for the ALDS, but it's expected to look very similar to the one used in the AL Wild Card Game. The lone exception likely comes in the form of needing to add starters and to the active roster before Game 1 (4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT on TBS in the United States and in English on Sportsnet and in French on TVA in Canada).
"We have to make two adjustments," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Wednesday afternoon. "[General manager] Ross [Atkins] is on his way down so we're going to finalize some things ... Two on, two off. No additional moves."
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Neither Happ nor Sanchez were on the roster for the AL Wild Card Game because they were not available to pitch after starting over the weekend in Boston. Happ is scheduled to pitch Game 2, while Sanchez will get the ball in Game 3.
The players who most likely will not make the cut appear to be infielder and right-handed reliever . Other possibilities include lefty reliever or long reliever .
Toronto likely will continue to carry six outfielders on the roster: , , Melvin Upton Jr., and . will continue to serve as the primary backup infielder to , , and .
should be back in his role as a potential late-inning defensive replacement at first base and occasional pinch-hitter while will be the backup catcher.
The Blue Jays' rotation sets up with in Game 1 followed by Happ, Estrada, Happ and in a potential Game 4 situation. The bullpen will consist of , , , , and then likely two of Loup, Feldman and Tepera.

Toronto has to officially announce its roster by 10 a.m. ET on Thursday..
Martin in the clear
Blue Jays catcher injured his left pinky finger during the celebration of Toronto's victory in the AL Wild Card Game on Tuesday night. He suffered a minor cut that required stitches, but he's not expected to miss any time.
The 33-year-old likely caught a break with the cut taking place on his left hand instead of his right. If it had been his right hand, Martin likely would have experienced issues gripping the ball, but on his glove hand the expectation is that he will be able to bandage and protect the area enough to avoid any setbacks.
"He just got a couple of stitches in his finger in that celebration," Gibbons said. "Celebrations and brawls haven't been too good for us. We're all right in games, games we're doing OK. ... He has a couple of stitches in there, but he's a hockey kid, man. He would have gone back out there to play."
This marks the sixth consecutive year for Martin in the postseason. He's a .199/.318/.319 hitter in 49 career playoff games.