Blue Jays place Breyvic Valera on COVID IL, recall Kevin Smith

Toronto Blue Jays' Breyvic Valera, right, dives for home but is tagged out by Seattle Mariners catcher Tom Murphy to end the top of the ninth inning of a baseball game. (Elaine Thompson/AP)

The Toronto Blue Jays will be without infielder Breyvic Valera, who was placed on the COVID IL on Wednesday as part of contact tracing after a family member contracted the virus.

Valera is fully vaccinated and has tested negative so far. The 29-year-old has appeared in 36 games for the Blue Jays this season, slashing .253/.308/.361 while hitting a home run and 15 RBI.

Kevin Smith has been recalled from tripla-A Buffalo and will be active as the team finishes their series against the Tampa Bay Rays with first pitch scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and SN Now.

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