Jesus Sanchez has been designated for assignment by the Blue Jays.

The move clears a roster spot for Rudy Martin Jr., who's set to make his long-awaited major-league debut after 12 years in the minors.

Sanchez appeared in 95 games this season, hitting .269 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs across 260 at-bats.

His defense had become the bigger issue lately, with multiple visible misplays in the outfield over recent weeks that drew attention from both fans and the coaching staff.

That tension between his bat and his glove ultimately caught up with his roster spot.

Toronto is deep in a wild-card push right now, and every defensive lapse in a tight game carries real consequences at this stage of the season.

Why this swap fits the moment for Toronto

Sanchez now has a week to find a new opportunity, whether through a trade, waivers, or eventual release.

Martin steps into a completely different chapter, a 30-year-old finally reaching the majors after grinding through independent ball and the Mexican League on his way here.

The corresponding timing isn't a coincidence. Toronto clearly wanted the roster spot cleared specifically for this callup, rather than treating Sanchez's exit and Martin's arrival as separate decisions.

Whatever role Martin fills initially likely leans toward outfield depth and speed off the bench, areas where Sanchez had increasingly struggled to hold up his end.

Toronto's outfield picture already includes Brett Bateman and Nathan Lukes performing well defensively, making this swap less disruptive than it might have been earlier in the season.

Whether Martin gets extended playing time immediately, or eases in gradually behind Toronto's established outfield mix, is the next question as this roster move plays out.

For Sanchez, this closes a chapter with the Blue Jays that never quite found the right balance between his bat and his glove.