CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Last week, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins called carrying three catchers on a 26-man roster “less than ideal,” but that could change.

With the potentially expanded April rosters to soften the strain of a condensed Spring Training, similar to the shortened 2020 season, Atkins said Wednesday in camp that three catchers in that scenario “could make a lot of sense for us.” That’s good news if your name is Reese McGuire or Alejandro Kirk.

For Kirk, that situation could free him up for more at-bats at designated hitter. For McGuire, it could open a clearer path to the roster spot, as the 27-year-old is looking noticeably stronger in camp with 10 pounds of muscle added and is earning early praise from the Blue Jays’ staff. Now, he wants the opportunity.

“With the way I performed last year and even in prior years, I feel like I’ve proven that I can be a starting catcher back there,” McGuire said. “I can be also whatever role it is with matchups these days. We have three, four, five good catchers in this camp right now. I definitely feel confident in my ability back there. I feel like I have great relationships with the staff.”

McGuire, who is now out of Minor League options, has had shots over the past four seasons, hitting .248 with a .687 OPS over 141 career games, but this is a crowded group alongside starter Danny Jansen, Kirk and No. 1 prospect Gabriel Moreno, who has star potential.

“It’s an exciting spring, but also, I’m very hopeful I make this club,” McGuire said. “I think I bring a lot of value to them on both sides of the game. Coming in, it’s just an exciting moment because we obviously have a great team. I’m hoping to be a part of that.”

Coming up as a prospect with the Pirates, McGuire had a reputation as a strong defender. He flashed some power potential back in 2019, when he hit five homers with a .299 average over a small sample of 30 games, and perhaps that plays up if the Blue Jays find him more opportunities against right-handed pitching. He owns a career .760 OPS against righties compared to just .445 against lefties.

If this goes McGuire’s way and he lands a roster spot to open the season, he knows the role Toronto’s catchers will be asked to play offensively.

“Last year, for example, I felt like I really owned that No. 9 hole and felt like I was able to flip the lineup over and put together good at-bats,” McGuire said. “Obviously, the key is to get [George] Springer to the plate and Bo [Bichette] to the plate. Any time late in the game when you can grind out an at-bat, take a walk or just put a ball in play to make something happen, those are the things that stand out to me in terms of growth.”

García finally nearing camp debut
Yimi García’s visa issue is finally resolved and the right-hander was expected to arrive in camp Wednesday. He’s got some catching up to do, but there should be enough time as long as the first look goes OK in the coming days.

“He stayed on a good, structured program over the course of the offseason,” Atkins said. “We’ve tried to keep it mirroring the other relievers here in camp, but it’s not the same when you can’t see the same level of live hitters and have the same level of intensity to your routines.”

Blue Jays like initial bullpen depth
Beyond García and closer Jordan Romano, the Blue Jays have some other bullpen locks in Adam Cimber, Trevor Richards and Tim Mayza. Besides that group, there’s the question of what to do with Nate Pearson and a likely long relief role for Ross Stripling. The Blue Jays also have Andrew Vasquez in camp on an MLB deal and Julian Merryweather’s ceiling is huge if he’s healthy.

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“That is an area you are constantly thinking about,” Atkins said. “Even the best bullpens in baseball, they’re not relaxing or thinking ‘OK, we’re fine, we don’t need to focus on that.’ Finding ways to build depth internally and being prepared to do so externally is really important.”

The Blue Jays were involved in the top end of that market over the offseason, but more than any other position, the bullpen is something that will fluctuate. If Toronto plays to its talent and is in a playoff race come Trade Deadline time, another major back-end addition already looks sensible.