By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

In a pair of moves designed to reinforce their overworked bullpen, the Toronto Blue Jays activated Joe Smith and recalled Chris Smith from triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

To make room on the team's 25-man roster, left-handed reliever Jeff Beliveau was designated for assignment, and Aaron Sanchez was returned to the 10-day disabled list due to a blister that formed during his latest start against the Boston Red Sox on July 19.

Joe Smith pitched to an ERA of 3.41 across 34 games with the Blue Jays before shoulder inflammation forced him off the club's active roster in June. The sidewinding righty appeared in three games with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons during his recent rehab assignment, striking out three and allowing a run on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Chris Smith made his MLB debut on June 27 and tossed a scoreless ninth inning during the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss to Baltimore before being shipped back to the minors. Through 19 games with the Bisons in 2017, the Kentucky native has recorded an ERA of 4.43 with 17 strikeouts against only three walks.

Beliveau allowed a WHIP of 1.468 throughout 19 relief assignments with the Blue Jays prior to being designated. Striking out 17 and walking only six batters, opponents have hit an inflated .283 across 60 plate appearances against the southpaw this season.

Saturday's roster shuffle marked the fourth time Sanchez has been placed on the disabled list with blister issues in 2017. Through eight starts, the former American League ERA champ is 1-3 with a FIP of 5.74 in 36 frames.

Entering Saturday,  the Blue Jays ranked second in the American League in regards to cumulative relief innings with 356 1/3. 

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