Blue Jays announce Opening Day lineup, finalize 26-man roster

Randal-Grichuk

Toronto Blue Jays Randal Grichuk ,left, celebrates his three-run home run with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., centre, and Teoscar Hernandez. (Jeffrey T. Barnes / AP)

The Toronto Blue Jays have announced their Opening Day lineup after finalizing their 26-man roster and five-player taxi squad on Thursday.

Off-season acquisition Marcus Semien will lead off for the Blue Jays when they face the New York Yankees on Sportsnet starting at 1:05 p.m. ET. Hyun Jin Ryu will start on the mound for Toronto.

Earlier on Thursday, catcher Reese McGuire and infielder Breyvic Valera were designated for assignment as a part of the club’s roster moves to finalize their Opening Day roster.

Left-hander Tim Mayza and infielder Joe Panik were selected to the Major League roster. Right-handed pitcher Joel Payamps was recalled from the club’s alternate training site to join the active roster. In a corresponding move, left-handers Travis Bergen and Anthony Kay were optioned to the Blue Jays’ alternate training site.

Several players will start the season on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 29, including Thomas Hatch (right elbow impingement), Nate Pearson (right adductor strain), Robbie Ray (left elbow contusion), George Springer (left oblique strain) and Kirby Yates (right elbow surgery). Yates underwent Tommy John surgery last week and will miss the entire 2021 season.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.