30 Anthony Alford LF

Alford was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo after Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Alford saw fairly regular playing time this past week, but only notched two hits in 14 at-bats while posting a 6:2 K:BB over that stretch. The Blue Jays want him playing every day, but considering he appeared overmatched against big-league pitching, they are opting for him to get those everyday at-bats at the Triple-A level. If he gets rolling, he could return to take on an everyday role for the big club, but there's no knowing when that might be. Teoscar Hernandez, Kevin Pillar and Curtis Granderson will see the bulk of the starts in the outfield going forward.

Alford will start in left field and bat eighth Sunday against the Red Sox, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

With the Blue Jays opposing left-handed starters in three straight games, Alford has been a fixture in the lineup throughout the series with Boston while the lefty-hitting Curtis Granderson has settled into a bench role. Alford has recorded one hit in six at-bats over the first two games of the series and is just 2-for-12 overall since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo earlier this month, so he'll likely need to step up his performance if he hopes to retain a short-side platoon role in the outfield.

The Blue Jays recalled Alford from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Alford has been at Triple-A since returning from a Grade 2 hamstring strain in mid-April, and has struggled with a .154/.214/179 slash line and 16 strikeouts in 39 at-bats. Curtis Granderson exited Friday's game against the Rays with hamstring tightness, which could open up some at-bats, but the severity of the injury is currently unclear.

Alford (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day DL and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Alford went down with a Grade 2 hamstring strain in mid-March but appears to be fully operational after competing in six rehab outings with High-A Dunedin over the past 10 days. He was expected to be optioned to the Triple-A level following his activation, where he will continue to receive everyday at-bats and serve as organizational outfield depth.

Alford (hamstring) reported to High-A Dunedin on Monday to begin a rehab assignment, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Alford, who has been sidelined since mid-March with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, is expected to resume playing in games later this week for Dunedin. Due to the nearly month-long layoff, Alford will likely appear in multiple games for the affiliate before being activated from the 10-day disabled list. The Blue Jays are expected to option Alford to Triple-A Buffalo upon activating him to afford the outfielder regular at-bats.