The Toronto Blue Jays have recalled reliever Thomas Hatch from the Buffalo Bisons for Sunday’s series finale against the Minnesota Twins.
Bowden Francis was optioned to triple-A Buffalo to make room for Hatch. Francis pitched 2.2 inning of relief in Saturday’s bullpen game against Minnesota allowing one run on two hits and also had three strikeouts.
Hatch has made two scoreless appearances for the Blue Jays in 2023 with a 3:1 K:BB over 1.1 innings of work.
Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Belt will remain out of the lineup on Sunday against the Twins.
Kiermaier has been sidelined with a wrist injury suffered on Thursday. The 33-year-old is slashing .296/.358/.481 with four homers and 16 RBI this season.
Belt was removed from Saturday’s game due to left hamstring tightness after running home from second base. The 35-year-old has been one of Toronto’s better hitters in recent weeks slashing .263/.378/.434 with four homers and 16 RBI this season.
