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Toronto Blue Jays Notes: Six Man Rotation, Arizona Fall League, Josh Thole

ByChris Okrainetz|
Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays announced they will stick with their six-man rotation for now, while a pair of their top prospects will participate in the Arizona Fall League.

With Aaron Sanchez returning to the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation on Wednesday night, the team welcomed back their six-man rotation, which, according to pitching coach Pete Walker, the team will continue to use for the time being.

“Right now it’s the status quo,” Walker said. “It’s where we’re at with the six guys. Obviously things can change, but right now we’ll keep it the same.”

The team is yet to announce their upcoming rotation, or if they plan to skip anymore of Sanchez’s starts, so the starting rotation remains a fluid situation.

Alford to Play in Arizona Fall League

Set to begin on October 11th, the Arizona Fall League annually hosts some of the best prospects in baseball. This upcoming season will be headlined by Boston Red Sox super prospect Yoan Moncada, who is the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball.

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But for Blue Jays fans, all eyes will be on prospects Anthony Alford and Connor Greene. After battling through a knee injury and concussion this season, the fall league should provide Alford with valuable playing time.

First baseman Ryan McBroom, catcher Danny Jansen, left-handed pitcher Matt Dermody and left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza will also join Alford and Greene in Arizona.

Barney Placed on Family Emergency List

The Blue Jays placed utility infielder Darwin Barney on the family medical emergency list before Wednesday’s 5-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles and recalled Ryan Goins from triple-A Buffalo.

The team also optioned reliever Bo Schultz in order to make room for Sanchez.

For Whom the Bell Tholes

Although catcher Josh Thole is expected to return to the team to catch knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, the 41-year-old right-hander told Sportsnet that he is also comfortable with the Blue Jays’ contingency plans if Thole signs elsewhere.

“I’m sure if Josh [Thole] does not sign back, Erik Kratz is down there in triple-A and he has experience catching me and [Russell Martin] has done a phenomenal job when he’s been up catching me,” Dickey told Dean Blundell and Co. on Sportsnet 590 the FAN. “My hope, of course, is that Josh comes back. We have a lot of history together and he’s actually starting to play really well, even offensively he’s contributed in the games I’ve been a part of.

Next: Blue Jays: 5 Storylines to Follow in September

Quick Hitters:

Dioner Navarro

went first to home on Wednesday night and his teammate,

Michael Saunders

, loved every second of it.

The Hunter Brothers Farm in New Brunswick took Blue Jays fandom to a new level on Wednesday when they showcased their

Jose Bautista

bat-flip inspired corn maze to honour the Blue Jays 40th season of baseball.

  • Prospect Dalton Pompey opened up to Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling on the At the Letters podcast about how frustrating this year has been for him. Jeff Simmons wrote about Pompey’s comments here. It’s well worth a read.
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