Tolleson outrighted to Minors in latest roster move

TORONTO -- Steve Tolleson officially cleared waivers on Tuesday afternoon, and he has been outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo.

Tolleson was designated for assignment last week when the club decided to stick with Ryan Goins as its primary backup infielder. Tolleson had been waiting in limbo to find out whether another team claimed him on waivers, or whether he was going to the Minor Leagues.

Even though Tolleson recently lost his job, it might not be very long before he receives another opportunity at the big league level. Since he was designated for assignment, Jose Reyes was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a cracked rib.

"He could end up back here, always a possibility," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Tolleson.

Jonathan Diaz was promoted from the Minors after Reyes went on the DL, but he has since been optioned to make room for Chris Colabello. Toronto currently finds itself playing a game of musical chairs with a seemingly endless list of roster moves to cover up from minor injuries in the Major Leagues.

The overall lack of health could create another chance for Tolleson, because the Blue Jays played Tuesday night's game against the Yankees with Russell Martin as the emergency backup at third base and Josh Donaldson as the emergency backup at shortstop.

"I don't think anybody [likes it], but sometimes you have to," Gibbons said of the recent flurry of roster moves. "It's primarily been the long-reliever role, but if you get caught short-handed, next thing you know, you're using your whole bullpen to finish a game and it has the aftereffects for a while with that. But ideally, you don't have that many [roster moves]."