Outfielder Brett Bateman has been selected to the Blue Jays’ roster and could make his major-league debut as early as Friday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, the team announced.
Infielder Luis Urias was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain he sustained on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs, and Rudy Martin Jr. was designated for assignment in a pair of corresponding moves.
Bateman, 24, was part of the trade return for Kevin Gausman, along with infield prospect Ty Southisene.
Primarily a centre fielder, Bateman has a strong defensive reputation, while also hitting for a .312/.430/.421 slash line with three home runs, 33 RBIs and 20 stolen bases over 84 games at triple-A this season.
He made a highlight-reel grab in centre in his second game with the Buffalo Bisons.
Meanwhile, Urias hits the IL after pulling up awkwardly while rounding first base after hitting a ball off the wall at Wrigley Field on Thursday.
Blue Jays training staff checked on Urias, who tested out his leg and stayed in the game for the rest of the half-frame.
However, he did not take the field in the bottom half, instead replaced by trade-deadline pickup Josh Smith, who slotted in at third base with Ernie Clement moving to second.
Urias, also acquired in a trade earlier this season, has exceeded expectations at the plate with the Blue Jays, holding a .776 OPS with three home runs and eight RBIs.
It stands to reason that Smith, who was acquired from the Texas Rangers for Canadian reliever Adam Macko at the deadline, will fill gaps in the infield along with Clement, Andres Gimenez and Kazuma Okamoto.
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has missed consecutive games with hamstring tightness.