The Toronto Blue Jays are altering their starting rotation — in part to limit the amount of times they use a bullpen day — ahead of a weekend series against the Texas Rangers.
Ace Kevin Gausman will start Friday’s series opener on regular rest before the Blue Jays go with a bullpen day — in place of the demoted Alek Manoah — on Saturday and then follow with Chris Bassitt on Sunday.
The Blue Jays have off-days on June 22 and 26 and could conceivably skip the bullpen day in the rotation without taking starters out of regular rest.
An off-day this past Monday allowed the Blue Jays to move Gausman up one slot.
The move also avoids having fifth starter Yusei Kikuchi, who starts Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles, go on back-to-back games with the bullpen day.
