Reimold designated for assignment

TORONTO -- Nolan Reimold, who was claimed off waivers from the Orioles in early July but never really settled into a comfortable role with the Blue Jays, was designated for assignment Tuesday afternoon.

Reimold landed on the disabled list after four games and received sporadic playing time upon his return.

The 30-year-old likely will be claimed on waivers, but if that doesn't happen, there's still an outside chance he could remain in the organization and report to Triple-A Buffalo.

"He wasn't getting a whole lot of steady work," said manager John Gibbons, whose team promoted outfielder Kevin Pillar from Buffalo in a corresponding move. "It's tough in that role and he never really got it going."

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise considering Reimold is eligible for arbitration at the end of the season and would have been under team control. There seemed to be a possibility that he could return next season as a fourth outfielder while also providing insurance in case Melky Cabrera left as a free agent.

That will no longer be the case and the move likely has less to do with the addition of Pillar than it does clearing a spot on the 40-man roster. Teams are allowed to expand their rosters on Monday, and there's an expectation that a prospect like left-hander Daniel Norris could be among the callups.

Pillar also would have been one of those promoted, but he arrives a few days earlier than anticipated. He had a brief conversation with Gibbons on Tuesday afternoon as they cleared the air about Pillar's previous demotion. He was sent to the Minors on June 25 after he took issue with being lifted for a pinch-hitter and became visibly frustrated in the dugout.

"We moved on from it, said it was water under the bridge," Pillar said. "We didn't really much about expectations, but I'm sure the expectation is to play when he tells me to, defensive replacement, pinch-run, just go out there and help the team win."

Pillar was a late addition to Tuesday's starting lineup, as Colby Rasmus was a late scratch because of flu-like symptoms. Rasmus was originally listed in the lineup and expected to play center field while hitting sixth in the order. That plan changed approximately one hour prior to first pitch.