ST. LOUIS — Will Robertson, a 27-year-old outfielder with a .991 OPS at triple-A, will be on hand at Busch Stadium for the Toronto Blue Jays' series finale against the Cardinals Wednesday, an industry source told Sportsnet.
It’s unclear whether Robertson will join the active roster or simply be available on the taxi squad, but it’s worth noting that neck discomfort forced outfielder Nathan Lukes out of the starting lineup Tuesday, so Robertson’s presence could be linked to the status of Lukes.
Either way, the Blue Jays are flying in a player with plenty of power from the left side and the ability to play all three outfield positions. In 51 games for the Buffalo Bisons this year, Robertson's hitting .288 with a .410 on-base percentage and 12 home runs.
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Speaking on Monday when Robertson was still in triple-A, Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated that the 2019 fourth-round pick had gotten the attention of the MLB staff.
“Things happen at different times in guys’ careers,” Schneider said. “I think that he's figured out some ways to help him move a little bit more efficiently … he's been impressive (in the minors), and impressive when he comes over to (big-league) spring training games. Whenever you're doing what he’s doing, it's not going unnoticed here.”
While Robertson has played some left and centre this year, he’s primarily played right field. Schneider said he can handle centre if needed, but the Blue Jays appear more comfortable with him in a corner at this stage.
Adding Robertson to the big-league roster would require selecting his contract to the 40-man roster, but the team has two open spots now so no corresponding 40-man move would be required.
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