CLEVELAND -- Troy Tulowitzki was held out of the Blue Jays' lineup on Saturday night because of a sore groin muscle and he is considered day to day.
Tulowitzki sustained the injury after hitting a single during the ninth inning of Friday night's 13-3 loss to Cleveland. He felt something when running out of the batter's box and was lifted for a pinch-runner after reaching first base.
The Blue Jays hope to have Tulowitzki back in the near future, but manager John Gibbons conceded that with a limited three-man bench his recovery will need to happen relatively quickly, otherwise the club will have to consider a stint on the disabled list.
"He's still a little bit sore," Gibbons said. "We'll give him tonight and then hopefully he'll be good to go ... we'll see how Tulo is. We can't let this drag out, but I think he should be all right [Sunday] or Monday."
Ryan Goins got the start at shortstop on Saturday night and will continue to fill in during Tulowitzki's absence while Darwin Barney takes over the starting duties at second base.
It's all about the Smiths
Toronto activated right-hander Joe Smith from the 10-day disabled list on Saturday afternoon and recalled Chris Smith from Triple-A Buffalo. One spot opened up when Aaron Sanchez hit the DL with a blister, while another was created when lefty Jeff Beliveau was designated for assignment.
Joe Smith had been out since June 14 because of inflammation in his right shoulder. He will take over his role as the primary setup man to closer Roberto Osuna, but Smith, at least initially, is not expected to pitch on back-to-back days. Chris Smith was 1-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 19 games this season for Buffalo.
Change of plans
With Sanchez no longer able to start Monday night against Oakland, the Blue Jays have decided to move Francisco Liriano's next outing up by one day. Liriano initially was expected to start on Tuesday, but after throwing just 54 pitches in his last start, he will instead go Monday.
Right-hander Cesar Valdez is then expected to start Tuesday. Valdez has made four relief appearances for the Blue Jays this season, with three earned runs allowed over 10 innings, after spending time with the A's and in the Minors earlier in the year. He will take Sanchez's spot in the rotation unless he is needed out of the bullpen this weekend.
"Hopefully, Valdez can go Tuesday," Gibbons said. "If we need Valdez in the meantime, then we'll adjust off that. But that's the plan."