Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is not in the starting lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays after exiting Wednesday’s game with left groin tightness.
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Jansen was pulled Wednesday in the bottom of the fifth after he grounded out in his last at-bat and sprinted to first.
The team has not made a roster move, though Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reports triple-A catcher Tyler Heineman has a locker in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse and is on the taxi squad. Alejandro Kirk will start at catcher.
Jansen is slashing .207/.273/.413 with six home runs and 26 RBIs this season.
The struggling Jays have shuffled their lineup for Thursday’s game. With George Springer getting the day off, Bo Bichette moves into the leadoff spot.
Left-fielder Daulton Varsho is up to the No. 2 spot, while the little-used Nathan Lukes makes his second start in a row — playing right field and batting sixth. Varsho has catching experience, so he’s an option at that position for the Blue Jays in a pinch.
Cavan Biggio bats ninth and plays second base.
Watch the Blue Jays-Rays game at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT on Sportsnet or SN NOW.
