MLB: New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays ? Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays made a couple of roster moves ahead of Friday’s series opener with the Texas Rangers and we got some insight on how they’re planning their pitching for the coming days.

Lourdes Gurriel is going on the 10-day Injured List with a left hamstring strain. It’s retroactive to September 8 so Gurriel is eligible to be activated on Sunday, September 18. John Schneider said that it’s possible that Gurriel requires more time than the minimum 10 days, though.

In the corresponding move, the Blue Jays have called up utility guy Otto Lopez from Triple-A Buffalo. Lopez has been up with the Blue Jays a few times over the past couple of seasons but he’s only made one plate appearance.

Though he’s more known for his glove, Lopez has had a good season at the plate for the Bisons this year. He’s slashing a .302/.379/.433 line over 350 plate appearances and has 36 walks to 56 strikeouts.

The other interesting note from today is about the team’s plans for pitching this weekend and how it sets them up for their upcoming five-game gauntlet series with the Tampa Bay Rays next week. Ross Stripling is starting on Friday and Kevin Gausman is scheduled to go on Saturday but the Blue Jays haven’t yet announced a starter for Sunday’s finale.

Schneider said that if all goes according to plan, they’ll do a bullpen day on Sunday. By all goes according to plan, Schenider means that Stripling and Gausman both go deep and the Blue Jays don’t need to use too many arms out of the bullpen.

Doing a bullpen day on Sunday would mean that Jose Berrios would start Monday’s opener with the Rays on a full week of rest and Alek Manoah would be one of the starters for the doubleheader on Tuesday. Stripling and Gausman would be in line to pitch or normal rest against Tampa on Wednesday and Thursday, so the only question mark would be the other game in the doubleheader.

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