Blue Jays carry extra arm with Osuna on ALDS roster

Blue Jays carry extra arm with Osuna on ALDS roster

Closer's uncertain status cost speedy Pompey spot on team

October 6th, 2016

ARLINGTON -- The Blue Jays set their American League Division Series roster several hours before Game 1 on Thursday (4:30 p.m. ET on TBS and Sportnet), adding two starting pitchers while subtracting one infielder and one outfielder to round out the final list of 25.
The need to tweak the active roster after Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Orioles in the AL Wild Card Game stems from the addition of starting pitchers and . To make room for them, infielder and outfielder were not placed on the ALDS roster.
:: ALDS: Blue Jays vs. Rangers coverage ::
While Goins was expected to be left off, Pompey's omission was a bit surprising. The 23-year-old outfielder is the club's primary pinch-running specialist, a role he assumed throughout the Jays' postseason run a year ago.
The Blue Jays opted to go with an extra arm in the bullpen instead of a reinforcement off the bench. This could be because of the uncertain status of closer , who is on the roster but whose sore right shoulder may deem him unavailable for Game 1.
"We looked at it with Osuna's situation -- we think he's going to be fine, but you have to cover yourself," manager John Gibbons said. "Really, that's what it came down to."
Osuna exited Tuesday's game against the Orioles in the 10th inning after feeling what he described as a "big stretch" in his right shoulder. The medical staff later told Osuna he needed to rest a couple of days, due to fatigue, according to the right-hander.
The possibility of not having Osuna even for one AL Division Series game led to the Blue Jays opting to be a little short on the bench. Gibbons acknowledged Pompey's speed would be missed.
"Having that baserunner is a luxury," Gibbons said. "We still have some guys -- [Melvin Upton Jr.] is starting today, but if he's not, then he's a good runner. [Darwin] Barney can score from first on a ball in the gap, too. So, really, it's not ideal, but we have to cover ourselves in that bullpen."
Pitchers (12)





Happ


Osuna
Sanchez


Catchers (2)


Infielders (6)






Outfielders (5)




Melvin Upton Jr.