Blue Jays announce moves as rosters expand

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Joe Mantiply. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Blue Jays announce moves as rosters expand

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Sep 1, 2026 5:01 PM ET

With rosters expanding on Sept. 1, the Toronto Blue Jays have made several moves ahead of their series opener against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.

They have re-called left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann, who made his long-awaited MLB debut with the team on Aug. 15. They have also recalled infielder Sean Keys, who has been dominating offensively with the Buffalo Bisons and has also been taking reps in the outfield.

They will also have reliever Joe Mantiply and infielder Josh Smith activated off the injury list and have designated outfielder Daz Cameron for assignment.

These moves will help the Blue Jays as they take on a pivotal series against the Guardians who sit in a final AL wild-card spot. The Blue Jays will have Spencer Miles open for the Blue Jays with Spencer Arrighetti expected to pitch after him in bulk relief.

#BlueJays announce their Sept. 1 roster moves:

• LHP Ricky Tiedemann is up
• INF Sean Keys is up

• LHP Joe Mantiply has been activated from the IL and is active
• INF Josh Smith has been activated from the IL and is active

• OF Daz Cameron DFA’d
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 1, 2026

What Blue Jays roster moves will provide for the team in remaining critical stretch

While the Blue Jays acquired a new reliever in Jose Rodriguez through a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, whether or not he will get a call-up this season is still unknown. So getting Mantiply back will help provide more depth in a bullpen that's been both overworked and taxed.

Prior to landing on the shelf with left knee inflammation that required surgery, Manitply had a 2.04 ERA with 16 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP across 17.2 innings.

Having Tiedemann back up in the majors will also provide upside, and while he's limited with his workload, he possesses electric stuff, and it also provides the Blue Jays with another left-handed pitcher as they only have southpaws Mason Fluharty and Brendon Little.

When it comes to Keys, he already demonstrated in his first call-up with the Blue Jays this season that he has the skillset to help enhance the Blue Jays offense. Despite only recording a .167 batting average, he did record a home run and five runs across 12 games. But since being sent back down to Triple-A Buffalo, he's been on an offensive tear, slashing .370/.475/.679.

Last but not least, getting Smith back from the IL will be beneficial, as he's considered a super utility player and he can provide the team with positional flexibility. In addition, he hit two home runs and collected three RBI across 14 games since the Blue Jays acquired him from the Texas Rangers.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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