The Blue Jays have a few reinforcements for the stretch run.
As MLB active rosters expand to 28 players, the Jays have recalled infielder Spencer Horwitz and activated reliever Chad Green from Triple-A Buffalo. The pair will join Toronto in Colorado for a weekend series against the Rockies.
Horwitz will be a welcome bench bat and backup first baseman for Toronto in September. It's a role he briefly filled earlier this season, when Brandon Belt went on the IL, notching two hits in three games. Horwitz has been one of Buffalo's most productive players this season, rocking an astounding .450 on-base percentage and .945 OPS. In 107 games he has 78 walks to 72 strikeouts.
Now fully recovered from Tommy John surgery last season, Green will make his Blue Jays debut in Toronto's bullpen. The 32-year-old suffered a setback in his recovery last month when he was struck by a ball and suffered a concussion. However, in nine innings pitched with Triple-A Buffalo, the righty has a 2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He should fill in a medium-leverage role in Toronto's 'pen.
Able to call up one additional batter and one pitcher, the Jays now have Horwitz and Green to support the current 26-man roster as they push for the playoffs. Entering Friday's game against the Rockies, Toronto sits 2.5 games out of a playoff spot, chasing the Rangers, Astros, and Mariners for the AL's final wild-card seeds.
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