BEN NICHOLSON-SMITH
The Toronto Blue Jays are set to promote catcher Erik Kratz to their active roster, industry sources told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
The corresponding move is not yet known, but Dioner Navarro was replaced by Josh Thole in the eighth inning of Thursday’s game. Adding Kratz to the roster provides manager John Gibbons with an additional bench option as the Blue Jays head to a National League park for the first time this season.
The Blue Jays begin a three-game series in Pittsburgh Friday. They beat the Kansas City Royals Thursday to avoid a sweep and improve their record to 13-15.
Kratz appeared in seven games for the Blue Jays earlier in the season, hitting one home run. The 33-year-old has a career .219/.279/.410 batting line in five seasons with the Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies and Blue Jays.