Skip to main content

The Toronto Blue Jays brought back five players from the minor leagues Tuesday to fill their expanded September roster.

The team announced it has recalled infielder Munenori Kawasaki, left-hander Aaron Loup, right-hander Ryan Tepera and outfielder Dalton Pompey from and selected the contract of lefty Jeff Francis. Left-hander Colt Hynes was designated for assignment.

"Kawasaki gives us an extra infielder, Pompey an extra outfielder," said Toronto manager John Gibbons. "Pitching wise now we've got a long guy, Francis can do that, Tepera's a multiple inning guy. Brought Loupy back, he's a left-hander.

"You don't want to overlaod everything but those guys fit a role we could use."

Gibbons said that catcher Josh Thole would be called up from triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. Thole didn't play for Buffalo, but merely reported as the Blue Jays shuffled players around before rosters expanded in September.

Gibbons suggested that first baseman Matt Hague may get called up when the triple-A season finishes. Hague was named the International League's MVP earlier Tuesday. He hit .347 with 32 doubles, 11 home runs, 88 RBI, wit a .425 on-base percentage and a .483 slugging percentage in 129 games.

Kawasaki has appeared in 14 games with the Blue Jays this season, batting .167 with one run batted in. He is hitting .245 with eight RBIs over 62 games with Buffalo.

Loup has a 2-5 record with Toronto this season, with 40 strikeouts and a 5.20 earned-run average over 36 1/3 innings. He had a 4.50 ERA over six innings pitched in five appearances with the Bisons, and did not factor in a decision.

Tepera has made 21 appearances for the Jays this season, posting a 0-1 record with 16 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA over 23 2/3 innings. He is 3-1 with a 1.06 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 34 innings with Buffalo.

Pompey, a native of Mississauga, Ont., had a .193 average with two home runs and six RBIs in 23 games with Toronto. He hit .351 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 31 games with double-A New Hampshire and hit .285 with a home run and 18 RBIs in 65 games with Buffalo.

Francis, from North Delta, B.C., is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA and 15 strikeouts in eight appearances with the Jays. He is 6-3 with a 2.35 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 19 appearances with the Bisons.

Hynes appeared in five games for the Jays this season, striking out four and posting a 6.00 ERA over three innings.

Interact with The Globe