Alford, McGuire cut, 25-man close to complete

As we all patiently await the beginning of another baseball season, the Blue Jays 25-man roster has now begun to take shape.

The club announced today that Anthony Alford and Reese McGuire have been optioned, while Billy McKinney, Tim Mayza, Joe Biagini and Ryan Borucki has been named to the roster, officially.

Both cut players will most likely report to Buffalo, having both played there in 2018.

The 24-year-old outfielder hit .242 this spring, including four home runs, seven RBI and boasting a .978 OPS in 33 at-bats. McGuire, 24 as well, had 21 at-bats and hit .143 and had a .455 OPS.

What was just an assumption last week, Ryan Borucki is cemented as part of the starting rotation. Newly-signed Clay Buchholz will not be ready for opening day, but it is Borucki’s position to lose. There will be the new free agent signings of Buchholz and Clayton Richard in case Borucki has a rough start for his second major-league season.

With McGuire being optioned to Buffalo, Danny Jansen and Luke Maile will be the starting catcher rotation for the 2019 season, as expected.

No overly surprising moves before the Jays’ season opens nine days from now.

Charlie Montoyo has also mentioned that minor leaguers will be playing in the second game of the two-game Montreal series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Most likely will be recently-optioned Bo Bichette and possibly Cavan Biggio.

That series will run from March 25-26th.