Blue Jays Promote Rudy Martin Jr. to Major League Roster

The Toronto Blue Jays have promoted 30-year-old outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. to the major league roster, setting the stage for his big-league debut. To make room for Martin, Toronto designated outfielder Jesus Sanchez for assignment.

A Long Journey to the Big Leagues

Martin’s path to the majors began in 2014 when the Kansas City Royals drafted him in the 25th round, a selection round that has since been eliminated. Prior to his promotion, he appeared in 27 games this season for Toronto’s Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., posting a .253 batting average, a .351 on-base percentage, three home runs, and 12 stolen bases.

Roster Adjustment Involves Sanchez

Sanchez was acquired by the Blue Jays on Feb. 13 from the Houston Astros in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido. During his stint with Toronto, Sanchez posted a .260 average alongside eight home runs and 35 runs batted in. His .734 on-base plus slugging percentage ranked fifth among active Toronto players, though his play was also marked by several costly defensive mistakes.

Former Head Coach Returns to Toronto

Ryan Dinwiddie returns to BMO Field on Saturday afternoon for the first time since leaving Toronto in the off-season to become the head coach and general manager of the Ottawa Redblacks. Dinwiddie previously spent five seasons with the Argonauts from 2021 to 2025, guiding the franchise to two Grey Cup titles and earning CFL coach of the year honours in 2023.

The matchup features Toronto (6-6) coming off a short turnaround following a 37-22 Labour Day victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Monday. That win secured the season series for Toronto and placed them four points ahead of Hamilton for second place in the East Division. Meanwhile, Ottawa (0-11) enters the contest refreshed after an Aug. 30 loss to the B.C. Lions, though the Redblacks are seeking to snap a 17-game losing streak that dates back to last season.

Chad Kelly Anticipates Defensive Adjustments

Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly worked under Dinwiddie as his offensive coordinator and head coach during his first four CFL seasons, including an MOP-winning 2023 campaign. To prepare for Saturday, Kelly noted that he has tried to view the matchup through his former coach’s eyes to predict how Dinwiddie might attempt to defend him.

During their previous meeting on June 20, a 44-24 Toronto victory in Ottawa, the Redblacks intercepted Kelly four times. Despite those turnovers, Kelly generated 424 passing yards and four touchdowns. Heading into Saturday, Kelly leads the CFL with 3,961 passing yards, 27 touchdown passes, and 18 interceptions.

Roster Overhauls and Individual Milestones

Ottawa will introduce 12 new players to its active roster for Saturday’s game, including 11 defensive additions. Cornerback Christian Matthew, halfbacks Adrian Frye and Travian Blaylock, defensive edge Luiji Vilain, and defensive tackle Isaiah Mack are set to start, while Canadian veterans A.J. Allen and Cleyon Laing will also be available.

For Toronto, head coach Mike Miller—who previously served four years as Dinwiddie’s quarterback coach—emphasized that his team cannot take their opponent lightly despite Ottawa’s struggles. That sentiment was echoed by Argonauts receiver Damonte Coxie, who recently crossed the 1,000-yard milestone for the first time in his CFL career and enters the game with 1,043 yards and five touchdowns on the season.

Orioles Early Explosion Hands Blue Jays 7-4 Defeat

The Toronto Blue Jays dropped a 7-4 decision to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night before a sellout crowd of 42,111 at Rogers Centre. Baltimore quickly seized control when Dylan Beavers launched a leadoff home run on the game’s second pitch. The Orioles extended their advantage during a five-run second frame off Toronto starter Max Scherzer (2-8), powered by six consecutive hits including a Colton Cowser two-run double and a two-run single from Beavers.

Toronto Fights Back Late in Wild-Card Chase

Former Blue Jay Chris Bassitt (7-5) earned the win for Baltimore, yielding two earned runs across five innings. Kazuma Okamoto provided Toronto’s first run with a solo homer in the fourth inning, his 31st of the season. After the Blue Jays added another run in the sixth, Coby Mayo responded for Baltimore with a solo home run in the seventh to mark his 23rd shot of the year.

Toronto mounted a ninth-inning rally when Brett Bateman hit his first major-league home run, a two-run shot that capped a three-hit performance. The Blue Jays brought the potential tying run to the plate, but Rico Garcia secured his eighth save by getting Alejandro Kirk to ground into a forceout. The loss leaves Toronto (73-75) with four defeats in its last six contests as the team chases Cleveland for the final American League wild-card position.