​The Toronto Blue Jays have just two games left before the All-Star break, and their first of the pair will take place on Saturday night. They will be aiming to extend their winning streak as they take on the San Diego Padres in the second meeting of a three-game series. In a separate update, the Blue Jays shared news about several players, including Luis Urias, Andres Gimenez, Nathan Lukes, and Myles Straw, as they navigate mid-series roster moves.
Before the second game against San Diego, Toronto announced its first selection in the MLB draft: with the 39th overall pick, the Blue Jays chose Cole Carlon. Baseball America scouting reports describe him as a starting pitcher whose fastball sits around 96 MPH and can touch 101 MPH. He also features a slider with exceptional movement. The 21-year-old left-hander stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds.
Here is a look at the roster changes the Blue Jays made during the series against the Padres. The most notable adjustment, aside from the pitching decision, is the removal of Urias and Straw from the lineup. In Friday night’s game one, Urias went 0-for-4, while Straw contributed a run and two hits in four at-bats. Urias is hitting .261 through 11 games with Toronto this season, and Straw owns a .236 batting average over 83 games, with three home runs, 32 RBIs, and 34 hits. Gimenez and Lukes will step into the lineup in place of Urias and Straw, reshaping the batting order for the second game.
For Saturday’s game two, the Blue Jays will turn to Trey Yesavage as their expected starter in place of the previously announced pitcher. The Padres, meanwhile, will counter with Walker Buehler on the mound to begin the game, setting the stage for a pivotal matchup.
This clash carries significant stakes for Toronto as they attempt to press the advantage against the Rays and Yankees, who sit atop the American League East standings. The Blue Jays currently trail the division leaders and know they must string together multiple lengthy winning streaks to keep playoff hopes alive. If Toronto cannot sustain momentum through the stretch run, the offseason could look markedly different for the organization.
Saturday night’s game is scheduled to begin at 6:40 PM Mountain Time, which translates to 8:40 PM Eastern Time. Local broadcasts will carry select station coverage, along with Sportsnet. Fans will be watching closely to see whether Toronto can keep the good momentum rolling or if the Padres will stymie their push.
Stay tuned for updates as the Blue Jays navigate roster moves and the ongoing series, and follow ongoing coverage for the latest news and analysis.