Jays making moves

STEVE BUFFERY

POSTMEDIA NETWORK

The Blue Jays made a number of roster moves on Wednesday, but one was particularly tough for manager John Gibbons.

Toronto designated catcher Mike Ohlman and LHP J.P. Howell for assignment and activated RHP Dominic Leone from the bereavement list and catcher Miguel Montero from the DL. Montero, the club’s No.2 catcher, was out with a right groin strain. The club’s No.1 catcher, Russell Martin, is on the DL with a left oblique strain.

MonterowasontheRogersCentre infield prior to Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays shooting golf balls, so he’s clearly feeling good, though Gibbons started Raffy Lopez behind the plate to catch starter Marcus Stroman.

The tough part of the moves was Gibbons sending 34-year-old veteran Howell down. The Modesto, CA native had been dealing with left shoulder issues for most of the season and didn’t get the chance to pitch much. He only pitched 11 innings this season, posting a 7.36 ERA. Howell has been in the Major Leagues since 2005 and said at spring training this year how excited he was to play for the Blue Jays and in front of the great fans at the Rogers Centre.

“He’s an old pro man, it was tough,” said Gibbons. “He’s been around the game awhile, one of the best guys I’ve ever been around. So it was hard. (But) he took it like a champ, but it was hard.”

With his bullpen worn out, Gibbons said he needed guys who could throw multiple innings in middle relief, something Howell can’t do at this stage.

“The guys at the end of the pen (Roberto Osuna, Ryan Tepera, Danny Barnes) are throwing a lot so we need a couple of guys that can at least eat up some innings, get us through a game or bridge the gap,” said the manager, adding that giving players the news that they are being DFA’d is never easy.

“No, especially the good guys,” he said.

“Ohlman, the same thing,” Gibbons added. “He was scratching and clawing to get here and has been up with us a couple of times and he’s really appreciative of the opportunity.”

Ohlman, 26, has played seven games for the Jays this year, and 82 for Triple A Buffalo where he was hitting .222 with 12 home runs.

Gibbons said he’s not sure yet how he’s going to rotate Montero and Lopez behind the plate until Martin gets back.

Gibbons said right-handed starter Aaron Sanchez, who has been put on the DL four times this season because of blister issues with his right middle finger, will start throwing the next few days. “I’m not sure what day it is, but I expect it to happen soon,” he said. The Jays are hopeful that Sanchez will get some starts before the season ends ... Second baseman Devon Travis, who is out with a right knee injury, has been running, fielding and catching at the Rogers Centre recently, though there is still no word on when he will return. “I don’t see why not,” Travis told Postmedia when asked if he expects to play this season ... Heading into Wednesday’s game against Tampa, Jays relievers have combined for 429.2 innings this season, the most in the AL. They have also struck out at least two batters in seven consecutive games (23 Ks). The bullpen’s total of 461 strikeouts this year are third most in the AL and fourth most in club history ( just 11 less than in all of 2016) ... The Jays have hit 33 home runs since July 26, which leads the Majors. Over that time, Toronto is tied for the most walks in the AL with Oakland (75) while also tied for the fourth fewest strikeouts (135.)