KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Blue Jays recalled outfielder Anthony Gose and selected the contract of infielder Steve Tolleson from Triple-A Buffalo in an attempt to jumpstart their struggling offense before Thursday night's series finale in Kansas City.
To clear roster space, Toronto optioned infielder Jonathan Diaz to Buffalo and designated outfielder Moises Sierra for assignment.
"Just looking to beef up the offense a little bit, and add a little team speed, something we don't have a lot of," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.
The 23-year-old Gose was in the starting lineup Thursday night, batting ninth and playing left field in place of Melky Cabrera, who left Wednesday night's game when he was hit by a pitch.
Cabrera walked through the clubhouse with his bruised left shin tightly wrapped but without a noticeable limp, and Gibbons said it's possible he could pinch hit against the Royals. Gibbons also said it's possible he could play Friday night when Toronto opens a series in Pittsburgh.
"He's doing better," Gibbons said. "He got hit pretty good, but there's no crack (in the bone) or anything like that. He just got hit square."
Gose has spent parts of three seasons with the Blue Jays, hitting .238 with three homers and 23 RBIs in 109 games. He's known for his speed but also his strikeout rate, and Gibbons said Gose must get that under control if he's going to stick as the club's fourth outfielder.
"When it comes down to the big leagues, it's about production," Gibbons said. "That's why it's so hard to make the big leagues for any length of time. Guys go up and down."
Tolleson, who was hitting .236 in 19 games for Buffalo, provides some versatility with the Blue Jays heading into interleague play. He has played in both the infield and outfield, though Gibbons said it's likely he will platoon with Chris Getz at second base.
"Maybe get a little more offense out of that spot," Gibbons said. "Hope he does something."