April 12, 2021

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

LHP Robbie Ray (elbow) and OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (vaccine side effects) have been activated and were added to the Toronto Blue Jays' roster in advance of their series opener against the New York Yankees on Monday.

RHP Joel Payamps and INF Santiago Espinal were optioned to the club's alternate training site in corresponding roster moves.

This spring, Ray allowed just three earned runs on six hits spread out across his 13 2/3 innings. Of the 52 batters he faced in Florida before landing on the I.L., the former National League All-Star struck out 19 and issued five free passes.

Ray's addition to the active roster bumps RHP Tanner Roark, who allowed three home runs in as many innings pitched during his first outing this season, into a long-relief role as a member of the Blue Jays' bullpen.

Gurriel Jr. rejoins the club after leaving Friday's 7-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels due to side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Through seven games, the 27-year-old product of Sancti Spititus, Cuba has five base hits, seven strikeouts, and a pair of runs scored.

In limited action with the Blue Jays early on, Payamps has pitched four scoreless frames while striking out four and allowing two base hits. Espinal had three hits in five trips to the plate on Saturday, scoring twice and driving in a run in the Blue Jays' 15-1 rout of the Angels at TD Ballpark in Dunedin.

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