The Toronto Blue Jays have officially recalled catcher Gabriel Moreno ahead of his MLB debut Saturday afternoon against the Detroit Tigers.
Catcher Zack Collins was optioned to triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.
Moreno's debut has been highly anticipated and comes after an opportunity opened up when Danny Jansen injured his hand on a hit by a pitch this past week. A consensus top-five prospect in the game, Moreno has hit .324/.380/.404 with one home run and eight doubles in 36 triple-A games this season.
Moreno will bat eighth in the order and catch Kevin Gausman in front of the many Blue Jays fans expected to cross the border for the game.
“When I was 12 years old, I realized this is what I wanted,” Moreno said with some help from interpreter Hector Lebron on Friday. “This is my dream: to be a professional baseball player. And here I am.”
The Blue Jays also reinstated left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza (left forearm inflammation) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Jeremy Beasley to triple-A Buffalo.
You can watch Moreno's debut live today on Sportsnet and SN NOW, beginning with Blue Jays Central at 3:30 p.m. ET followed by the first pitch just after 4 p.m. ET.
