Blue Jays make pair of minor moves fully aware bigger decisions await

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The Blue Jays added depth to their outfield, while bolstering their bullpen in what must be viewed as the beginning for some kind of major move to be engineered down the road.

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So much of what will be done to cement the Jays as playoff contenders is all dependent on health.

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Health was the reason why Nathan Lukes and reliever Nick Sandlin were unavailable, but each is back after being reinstated from the injured list Friday.

Both were active for Friday night’s series opener against the visiting Chicago White Sox.

The bigger picture involves the July 31 trade deadline and how the Blue Jays are positioned in the weeks leading up to a time when a deal of consequence might be enough to push the team over the line.

With Lukes back, the team’s outfield becomes a bit crowded.

With Sandlin’s return, it could spell the end for Chad Green, who has not acquitted himself when called upon.

Veteran reliever Erik Swanson was DFA’d by the club, a move many had expected given his struggles.

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It’s an interesting time for the Blue Jays, who have played well, with the interest surrounding the ball club only to intensify as they remain in the hunt for a wild-card spot with hopes of catching the AL-leading New York Yankees, who have slipped a bit atop their perch.

The Bronx Bombers will be in town later in the month with a return visit to Rogers Centre on tap next month.

Sandlin, who was sideline with a lat strain, hasn’t pitched since late April.

Of all the moves GM Ross Atkins made this past off-season, Sandlin’s acquisition from Cleveland flew under the radar.

When he was healthy and able to pitch, Sandlin did well.

In fact, most of the moves made by Atkins have turned out well for the Blue Jays.

One can quibble with the signing of Anthony Santander (shoulder), but no one was complaining when the Jays acquired a power bat to address the team’s glaring need for a thumper.

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For the record, Santander has yet to resume hitting.

Lukes has been a pleasant surprise.

To make room for Lukes and Sandlin, the Jays optioned outfielder Will Robertson and LHP Justin Bruihl.

Once Daulton Varsho returns from his hamstring injury, making room for him will not be an issue.

Another injured player expected to back sooner than later is reliever Yimi Garcia.

As for Bowden Francis, the struggling starter had a cortisone injection and isn’t expected to throw for a few days.

Perhaps the biggest domino is veteran starter Max Scherzer, who hurt his thumb in his Blue Jays debut way back in the season-series opener against the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

In terms of progress, it’s been going well for the right-hander, but until he’s on the mound in a big-league game no one is sure what the future holds.

Scherzer is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday.

Barring a setback, Scherzer is likely to make a start next week when the Jays are in Cleveland.

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