Blue Jays activate Diaz, Grichuk, send down Smith, Petricka

The Blue Jays activated outfielder Randal Grichuk from the disabled list on Friday. Photo Credit: Butch Dill, USA Today Sports

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays have activated SS Aledmys Diaz and OF Randal Grichuk in advance of their weekend set against the Detroit Tigers in the Motor City.

To create openings on the team's 25-man roster, both OF Dwight Smith Jr. and RHP Jake Petricka were optioned to triple-A Buffalo.

Through 32 games with Toronto prior to landing on the DL with a left ankle sprain in early May, Diaz slashed .216/.273/.431 with 10 extra-base hits across 110 plate appearances.

The Cuban-born shortstop's omission from Toronto's lineup created a revolving door of sorts as his defensive innings have been divided between Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Gio Urshela, Yangervis Solarte and Russell Martin (Montreal, Que..), the Blue Jays starting catcher who made his MLB debut at the position on May 26.

Placed on the disabled list at the end of April, Grichuk rejoins the active roster looking to build on the .106/.208/.227 line he posted over 77 plate appearances prior to spraining his right knee in a game against he Texas Rangers.

Back in the active fold, Grichuk's arrival will more than likely cut into the number of at-bats fellow outfielder Curtis Granderson will receive given the fact that Teoscar Hernandez should see more action in left field over the coming weeks.

Relegated to long man duties in the Blue Jays' pen, Petricka has allowed nine earned runs on 18 hits while walking a pair and striking out six batters across nine MLB appearances this season.

Despite posting impressive numbers through limited action in Toronto, Smith Jr. will rejoin the Herd this weekend and will be awarded everyday at-bats in Buffalo.

Through 27 big league contests dating back to his debut with the Blue Jays in 2017, the left-handed hitting 25-year-old has slashed .333/.397/.491 with seven extra-base hits.

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