Two veteran Toronto Blue Jays pitchers will watch the ALDS from the sidelines.
Starters Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer were both left off the 26-man roster announced Saturday as the Blue Jays decided to go with four left-handed arms, including Mason Fluharty and Justin Bruihl.
The Blue Jays also don't have Jose Berrios after he was placed on the injured list with an elbow injury. The moves point to a need for a deeper bullpen mix and position-player versatility for the series.
Bassitt had been placed on the 15-day injured list with lower back inflammation on Sept. 20. The 36-year-old owned a 3.96 ERA and 166 strikeouts across 31 starts this season, earning an 11-9 record.
His last start came on Sept. 18 against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he allowed eight hits and three earned runs in 4.1 innings of work. He also pitched during the team's intrasquad scrimmage ahead of the ALDS.
Scherzer, meanwhile, had his struggles this season, posting a 5-5 record with a 5.19 ERA over 85 innings while recording 82 strikeouts.
While both players are not on the roster, manager John Schneider confirmed that both players will be allowed to in the dugout with the team.
The rotation will instead lean on Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage at the top, with Eric Lauer or a bullpen day also possibilities.
As for position players, shortstop Bo Bichette and first baseman Ty France were also left off the roster after each ended the season on the IL.
The team will instead carry utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and six outfielders.
In the opposite dugout, the Yankees will bring a group consisting of 14 position players and 12 pitchers.
While there weren't any glaring absences or inclusions, the Yankees will only be bringing one lefty reliever in Tim Hill after choosing to leave former Blue Jay Ryan Yarbrough off the roster.
As for starters, the Yankees will call on Luis Gil for Game 1 and Max Fried for Game 2, with Carlos Rodon and Cam Schlittler set to follow in some order.
Also left off the roster is righty reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who made 59 appearances in the regular season for the Yankees this year — the fourth-most on the team's pitching staff — and posted a 4.84 ERA.
