Blue Jays lose another key piece during crucial stretch

The Toronto Blue Jays may be without the services of Chris Bassitt until the end of the regular season. The 36-year-old right hander was placed on the 15-day IL on Saturday afternoon due to back inflammation, ahead of Toronto's game against the Kansas City Royals.

Bassitt, who is an impending free agent, had removed himself from his start on September 12 when he pitched five innings of two-hit ball against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto. He had cited after that game that he had felt some discomfort in his back, but he made his next start, on Thursday, September 18 against the Rays in Tampa. Bassitt lasted 4.1 innings that evening, giving up three runs on, on eight hits.

The Blue Jays had previously announced that Jose Berrios was going to be moving to the bullpen for the remainder of the season, which means Toronto will run with a four-man rotation for the next little while, possibly right until the end of the season. Bassitt's time on the IL won't be over until just before the scheduled start of the ALDS, on October 4.

The Athletic's Mtich Bannon reported that the Blue Jays will use Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage as previously scheduled to finish off their series against the Royals. They'll use the off day on Monday to keep their starters on regular rest, going with Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber in their series against Boston at home that takes place from September 23-25.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays have recalled Mason Fluharty. The rookie left-hander has played in 51 games with the Blue Jays over various stints. He's 4-2 with a 4.94 ERA in 47.1 innings pitched, with 48 strikeouts, a 4.35 FIP and a 1.268 WHIP. In 11 games with Triple-A Buffalo this season, he's pitched 11 innings with 15 strikeouts, and a 3.27 ERA without giving up a single home run.

It's been a tough month of September for Toronto on the injury front as they are already down shortstop Bo Bichette who landed on the IL near the beginning of the month and will also miss the rest of the regular season.