MLB Player News

The Blue Jays selected Keys' contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

After slashing .285/.415/.621 with 21 homers, 54 RBI and 56 runs scored in 67 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Keys will join the big club to provide Toronto's offense with an extra jolt of power. He's set to start at first base and bat sixth during his MLB debut Saturday, but with Vladimir Guerrero, Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer (paternity) already established at first base, third base and DH, respectively, it may be difficult for Keys to crack the starting nine consistently. Davis Schneider was optioned to Buffalo in a corresponding move.

Okamoto went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's loss to the Rangers.

Once again, the third baseman provided some late power that his teammates couldn't capitalize on, as Okamoto deposited a Jakob Junis sweeper into the seats in left-center field in the eighth inning to bring the Blue Jays within a run in a 5-4 loss. Over the last 13 games, Okamoto's produced a .326/.415/.783 slash line with six of his 19 homers on the season and 15 of his 53 RBI.

Keith went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 8-0 win over the Astros.

Keith hit his fifth home run of the season in the fourth inning against Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti. All five of the infielder's long balls have come in the last 13 games, and he has a .947 OPS during that span. For the season, Keith has a .675 OPS, but that figure should continue to climb if he can maintain his recent power production.

Vargas went 3-for-6 with a home run, a double, five RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 22-1 win over the Royals.

Vargas fell a triple shy of the cycle, driving in four runs in two third-inning at-bats before adding another RBI in the seventh. The 26-year-old has hit safely in four straight games, going 7-for-18 with three extra-base hits and six RBI during that stretch. For the year, he's slashing .246/.357/.484 with 18 homers, 50 RBI, 54 runs scored and 10 steals across 343 plate appearances.

Caminero went 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and three RBI in Friday's 6-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

One night after launching three homers, Caminero gave the Rays a lead they wouldn't relinquish with a three-run shot in the first inning. The 22-year-old has now gone deep five times over his past four games, going 7-for-15 with 12 RBI during that stretch. On the season, he's slashing .285/.379/.527 with 20 home runs, 46 RBI and 50 runs scored across 346 plate appearances.

The Blue Jays are expected to promote Keys from Triple-A Buffalo ahead of Saturday's game against the Rangers, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Keys is with the Blue Jays for the start of the weekend series against Texas, but the move won't be made official until Saturday. Between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Keys has slashed .284/.409/.619 with 21 homers, 54 RBI, 55 runs scored, seven stolen bases and a 39:66 BB:K across 286 plate appearances. A corner infielder by trade, Keys doesn't have a clear path at those positions with Kazuma Okamoto and Vladimir Guerrero manning third base and first base, respectively. George Springer has also seen all of his at-bats at designated hitter this season. However, Toronto seems to want to inject Keys' power into the lineup.

Okamoto went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Thursday's loss to the Rangers.

The 29-year-old third baseman made things interesting in the ninth inning by crushing a fastball from Texas closer Jacob Latz 420 feet to straightaway center field, but the Blue Jays' late rally came up short. Okamoto has homered in three of the last five games, and over 21 contests in June he's produced a .316/.384/.605 slash line with four doubles, six long balls, 14 runs and 18 RBI as he makes a push to start for the American League in the All-Star Game during his first season in MLB.

Durbin went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, an additional run and a walk in a 6-3 win over the Yankees on Thursday.

Durbin had arguably the biggest hit of the game when he swatted a two-run homer to left field off Cam Schlittler in the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie. Durbin also singled in the second inning to finish with his fifth multi-hit game over his past seven contests. He's been red hot over that stretch, batting .500 (12-for-24) with a pair of homers, three doubles, five runs, five RBI and two stolen bases.

Jung is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Jung -- who had started every game since May 26 -- went hitless during the Rangers' last series in Miami, so he'll get a day to regroup. Ezequiel Duran will play the hot corner in Thursday's series opener versus the Blue Jays.

Durbin (finger) will start at third base and bat sixth in Thursday's contest versus the Yankees.

Durbin had to leave Wednesday's game against the Rockies due to a partial dislocation of his left pinkie finger. While Durbin's finger surely isn't fully recovered, he will attempt to play through the injury.