The outfielder was designated for assignment on Friday to make room for Rudy Martin Jr.
On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays officially promoted 30-year-old rookie Rudy Martin Jr. to the big league roster. Martin, a speedy outfielder, stole 45 bases in the minor leagues this season. After being drafted in 2014, Martin has spent more than a decade in professional baseball, also spending some time in independent leagues and in Mexico.
But in order for Martin to make his major league debut after more than a decade, there had to be a roster move on the other side. That move was the Jays designating outfielder Jesus Sanchez for assignment.
About the Jesus Sanchez era
Acquired in a February trade with the Houston Astros, Sanchez ended up playing 99 games for the Jays. He hit a respectable .260 and posted an also respectable .734 OPS, but defensively he really struggled, and he posted a -1.0 bWAR (Baseball Reference).
While Sanchez provided some pop that helped cover up for the season-long injuries to Anthony Santander and Addison Barger, as well as the season-long struggles of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the organization evidently decided that Martin was a better play over the final three weeks of the season.
Given that he's been designated for assignment, there is still a chance that Sanchez could end up staying in the organization through the rest of the season - and potentially beyond. But he is off the 40-man roster.
Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jesus Sanchez (12) hits a double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Rogers Centre. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesInteresting note about the future
The decision to remove Sanchez from the 40-man roster is ultimately interesting as we start to think about 2027. George Springer is headed for free agency and Myles Straw is expected to have his team option declined. That means the Jays will have openings in the outfield. Barger, Nathan Lukes and Brett Bateman will all be back, and Sanchez's removal is good for Bateman as he looks to solidify his own position.
All three of Barger, Lukes and Bateman are left-handed, so the Jays still likely need right-handed replacements for Straw and Springer. We've speculated that Randy Arozarena could be a good fit in free agency.
Up next
The Blue Jays will begin a crucial three-game series on Friday night against the Baltimore Orioles. First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. ET as Max Scherzer pitches against Chris Bassitt.
The Blue Jays are one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final wild card spot in the American League. The Orioles are three games back of Cleveland, so the series has meaning to both teams.
