Blue Jays activate Adam Lind, option Chad Jenkins to Buffalo

Apr 2, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind (26) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As expected, the Toronto Blue Jays have activated first baseman/designated hitter Adam Lind off of the disabled list. However, what was unexpected was the corresponding  move made along with it. As per Shi Davidi, via the following tweet, Chad Jenkins was optioned to Buffalo to make room on the active roster for Lind.

Lind has been on the disabled list since April 19th (retroactive to the 15th) with a stiff back. The 30-year-old has been on rehab assignment in Dunedin for the past four days, and his nine-inning appearance last night convinced the team he was ready to return. In 4 games and 16 plate appearances with the D-Jays, Lind showed his swing was still there, hitting 4 hits (including 2 doubles).

Lind will return to a line-up that is clicking on all cylinders right now and it could make playing time interesting for Juan Francisco, who has been filling in admirably in Lind’s absence. Lind was slashing .324/.465/.500 in his first 13 games before hitting the shelf.

Chad Jenkins is once again adding to his frequent flyer miles, as this is now the third time he has been optioned to Buffalo this season. He has made just 3 appearances for the Blue Jays thus far in 2014, surrending 5 hits, 3 runs, and a pair of home runs in 3 innings of work.

He’ll return to the Buffalo bullpen, where he was 1-1 with a 2.30 ERA  and a 6.3 K/9 ratio in 15.2 innings of work between recalls.

The decision to option Jenkins is likely a precursor move for another move either later this week or early next. The thought was that Erik Kratz would likely be sent down to make room for Lind, as the NL side of the road trip is done and there is no need to carry three catchers at this time.  However, Kratz at least survives the weekend, but will likely be the roster victim when Casey Janssen is activated after his weekend rehab assingment in New Hampshire.

He’ll return to the Buffalo bullpen, where he was 1-1 with a 2.30 ERA  and a 6.3 K/9 ratio in 15.2 innings of work between recalls.