As the trade deadline draws closer, the Toronto Blue Jays return to the field Friday with a potential sell-off seemingly looming.
The Blue Jays (44-52) are 9.5 games back of the wild-card spot as they open the second half with a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre.
Although Toronto did go 5-4 on a road trip before the All-Star break, that wasn’t enough to narrow the playoff gap.
Pending free agents Yimi Garcia, Danny Jansen, Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Turner are prime candidates to be dealt before the July 30 trade deadline.
As for this series, the Blue Jays face a Tigers team that has moved 2.5 games in front of Toronto after winning eight of its last 10.
Right-hander Jack Flaherty starts Friday’s opener for Detroit (47-50), and has allowed just seven runs in his past five outings.
Chris Bassitt gets the start for the Blue Jays, having allowed seven runs in his past two outings.
There should be roster updates for the Blue Jays before the game.
Shortstop Bo Bichette missed the four games before the All-Star break with right calf soreness, but was not put on he injured list.
Garcia, meanwhile, is expected to rejoin he team after making a couple of rehab appearances with triple-A Buffalo. He has been out since mid-June with right elbow ulnar neuritis.
The Blue Jays also shuffled their pitching rotation on Thursday to ensure Kikuchi gets two starts before the trade deadline. He’ll start Saturday’s second game of the series.
Friday’s game is on Apple TV+.
Catch the audio broadcast on Sportsnet 590 The Fan at 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT.