Blue Jays’ Anthony Alford reportedly set to join team

According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, Anthony Alford will be joining the Toronto Blue Jays today according to industry sources.

If Anthony Alford is indeed promoted it would likely signal a DL stint for outfielder Curtis Granderson who left last nights contest in the first inning with an apparent hamstring injury after hitting a double and later scoring. The move may also afford Granderson a few days off in order to avoid a DL stint.

Alford is off to a slow start in Triple-A Buffalo after missing most of spring training with a hamstring string. The 23-year old is hitting .154/.214/.179 with no homers and one stolen base in 10 games with the herd this season.

Teoscar Hernandez and Alford were set to battle it out in Grapefruit League action this spring for the number one spot in the prospect pecking order for outfielders however that was short lived due to his injury and now Hernandez looks to be a permanent fixture in the Jays outfield for the time being.

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Alford made his MLB debut last season slashing a double in eight plate appearances but suffered a broken hamate bone ending his MLB tenure. The Jays will now have Dalton Pompey, Hernandez and Alford all with the team complemented by Kevin Pillar in the outfield. Recent injuries to Steve Pearce, Randal Grichuk and Granderson have opened the door for the youth movement.

Not sure anyone would have predicted Alford, Hernandez, Pompey, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Richard Urena to all be on the team at the beginning of May.

Alford possesses game-changing speed and plus defence so if he can impress with the stick he may find himself here for the long haul along with Hernandez. The complexion of the Jays lineup has definitely changed of late with the recent speed additions.  Look for the Jays to be way more aggressive on the base paths with Pompey and Alford north of the border.

Next: Blue Jays: The Jose Bautista era has officially ended

The Jays are still without Justin Smoak who is away from the team due to the birth of his daughter and reliever Jake Petricka could also be optioned back to Buffalo if the Jays need to make an additional roster move.