CJ Van Eyk has been optioned to Triple-A, and this feels like the start of something bigger.
Toronto sent the right-hander down a day after completing a sweep of the Mariners.
That timing matters. Winning teams don't usually option a reliever just to shrink the roster for no reason.
Van Eyk had been up as pitching depth during a stretch where the Blue Jays cycled through arms constantly.
Clearing his spot now points toward Toronto making a corresponding addition soon, whether that's a returning player or someone new entirely.
Toronto has already added pieces like Michael Lorenzen late in August, showing a front office willing to keep tinkering during a playoff push.
With Josh Smith lined up for activation and Joe Mantiply working back from a knee injury, multiple bodies are queued up to return in the near future.
Why this move likely isn't the last one this week
Toronto sits at 68-70, riding a 17-11 August and just 1.5 games back of the Guardians for the final wild-card spot.
Every roster decision right now gets made with October in mind, not just the day-to-day.
Optioning Van Eyk without an immediate corresponding addition being announced suggests Toronto is setting up for multiple moves rather than a single swap.
The Blue Jays open a pivotal three-game series at Cleveland after Monday's off day, exactly the kind of series that could dictate who fills that open spot.
Whether it's Smith activating, Mantiply getting the call, or another addition entirely, Toronto clearly wants flexibility heading into this stretch.
Van Eyk goes back to Buffalo for now, with a real chance to be right back up if Toronto needs bullpen depth again before the season ends.
Who do you think the Blue Jays add next after optioning CJ Van Eyk?
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