Blue Jays fans confused by team’s latest roster cuts
On Tuesday morning, the Toronto Blue Jays announced a series of roster cuts ahead of this week’s opening day.
According to the team, infielder Vinny Capra was transferred from the major league camp, with infielder Otto Lopez being selected to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
With Toronto starting its season against the St. Louis Cardinals this Thursday, the team is getting closer to the final 26-man roster it will carry from now until the roster expansion in September. Today’s moves seem to indicate Nathan Lukes will be the last player on Toronto’s roster after spending nine seasons in Toronto’s minor leagues.
But it was the Lopez move that seemed to surprise most fans.
The 24-year-old Lopez, who was born in the Dominican Republic before growing up in Montreal, was on Canada’s roster for last year’s World Baseball Classic and has grown into something of a cult following over the past two seasons.
Though he has only played nine games for the Blue Jays since 2021, there is a clear and vocal group of fans who support his place on the Toronto team.
Despite only nine at-bats, Lopez had a .667 batting average with six hits and three RBIs in eight games for the Blue Jays in 2022.
And fans weren’t too happy to see one of their favorite promoters left out of the opening-day squad.
What are you scammers doing. Otto’s speed and contact are elite
— Johnny (@GJohnny31) March 28, 2023
OTTO BEAST NO 🤥💔 https://t.co/NdPRHxyZKN
— Whit Merrifield Enthusiast (@mitwherrifield) March 28, 2023
BOOOOO 🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅 https://t.co/hC9844VzSK
— ✖️- Trashy Mary Poppins 🫧 (@ItsKrisRose) March 28, 2023
Otto Lopez chose AAA. Wow, I certainly didn’t expect that.
I guess that means Nathan Lukes made the team. #BlueJays https://t.co/C8FzPfBP7X
— Thomas Hall (@ThomasHall85) March 28, 2023
Otto became optional 😞 https://t.co/U00V7B0QZH
– Jerico TBJ 0-0 (@Jerrrrriiicooo) March 28, 2023
It’s a bit of a surprise that Lopez isn’t in the major leagues https://t.co/4FFP3PsTDb
— Aaron (@AaronC_48) March 28, 2023
Ross Atkins hates Otto Lopez. Free Otto Lopez https://t.co/cUlaoslL2S
— Alejandro Kirk’s MVP campaign (Kikuchi Szn) (@Kirk2hof) March 28, 2023
Otto 😭💔💔💔💔 https://t.co/1X9pzZv7mE
— BO’S SPRING WORKOUT BRENNER (@boflowsburner) March 28, 2023
A shame to do Otto like that
— J (@Jorgee416) March 28, 2023
However, there was a bit of optimism that it might be good for his development with the possibility of getting more playing time at the minor league level.
I look forward to giving Otto a chance to move up. His time will come. It’s a long season.
— C🤖🤟🏾 (@mmmPistolWhip) March 28, 2023
Toronto kicks off its 2023 regular season with a first pitch this Thursday at 4:10 p.m. ET against the St. Louis Cardinals, while Lopez and his Bisons start their game plan this Friday at 6:35 a.m. ET against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders , the Triple-A daughter of the New York Yankees.
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