Blue Jays Roster Moves: Activated, IL Stint, and Opportunity

On Tuesday afternoon, the Blue Jays activated Corey Dickerson from the Injured List, while simultaneously placing Cavan Biggio on the 10-day Injured List.

Dickerson was acquired back on June 29 along with Adam Cimber from the Miami Marlins for Andrew McInvale and Joe Panik.  At the time of the transition, Dickerson was already on the IL and the team knew that he was going to be out for a few weeks.

The 32-year old veteran had recently gone on a rehab assignment with the Buffalo Bisons over the last week and he got into four games collecting four hits in 15 at bats (.267) including a double.  Dickerson had not played for the Marlins since June 23.

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Dickerson is in the final year of a two-year deal he signed in Miami before the 2020 season that sees him earn an annual salary of $8.75 million.

Biggio will go to the injured list for the second time this season with a nagging neck injury that appears to be affecting him at the plate of late.  His batting average has dropped 20 points since the beginning of July and in that time, he has gone just 10 for 71 (.141) with only three extra-base hits in that span.  Biggio’s last stint on the IL cost him nearly three weeks and 17 games.

This leaves a big opportunity for Santiago Espinal to leave a lasting impression on manager Charlie Montoyo.  Espinal is clearly the superior defender at third base over Biggio, but he now has an opportunity to show if his offence can play every day as he should get consistent at-bats.  Espinal has posted a slash line of .305/.359/.418 over 153 plate appearances during the 2021 season.

As for Dickerson, it is unclear what his role will be on the club as Montoyo already has four everyday outfielders that he has been cycling through the line-up, along with typically placing one of them in the designated hitter role.  Dickerson who is a former Gold Glove winner will be in tough to get appearances at the plate and may be just a late inning defensive replacement and be security for the team if there is an injury.

What role do you see Dickerson fitting on the current Blue Jays team?