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Justin Turner placed on paternity list by Blue Jays; Steward Berroa recalled

Justin Turner placed on paternity list by Blue Jays; Steward Berroa recalled

July 3, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays will be without Justin Turner for a few days after placing the veteran infielder on the paternity list Wednesday.

In a corresponding move, the team recalled outfielder Steward Berroa from triple-A Buffalo. Berroa will be active for Wednesday’s game against the Houston Astros.

Turner wasn’t listed in the starting lineup as the Blue Jays take on Astros starter Ronel Blanco in anticipation of the move. The 39-year-old is slashing .250/.359/.375 with five home runs, 15 doubles and 27 RBIs after signing a one-year contract with Toronto this off-season.

The two-time all-star has heated up as of late, posting a .321 average in June.

This will be Berroa’s second stint in the major leagues after being called up earlier this season. The 25-year-old didn’t get to the plate but did get into two games to pinch run and play defence.

Berroa is having a career year in Buffalo. He is slashing .296/.387/.456 over 66 games with eight home runs, 37 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

Toronto catcher Danny Jansen is also currently on the paternity list but is expected to return to the team on Thursday.

You can watch as the Blue Jays look to beat Houston for a second straight day on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT.

The Toronto Blue Jays made a roster move on Thursday, placing infielder Justin Turner on the paternity list and recalling infielder Steward Berroa from their alternate training site.

Turner, who signed with the Blue Jays in the offseason, is hitting .250 with two home runs and six RBIs in 16 games this season. The 36-year-old veteran has been a key contributor to the Blue Jays’ lineup, providing solid defense at third base and a reliable bat in the middle of the order.

With Turner set to miss a few days while on the paternity list, the Blue Jays turned to Berroa to provide depth in the infield. Berroa, 23, made his major league debut last season with the Blue Jays, appearing in 10 games and hitting .250 with one home run and three RBIs.

Berroa has been playing well at the alternate training site this season, impressing coaches with his defensive versatility and improved plate discipline. The young infielder will provide the Blue Jays with a solid option off the bench while Turner is away.

The paternity list allows players to take up to three days off for the birth of a child, giving them the opportunity to be present for this important milestone in their lives. Turner is expected to rejoin the team in a few days once he has had time to spend with his family.

In the meantime, Berroa will look to make the most of his opportunity with the Blue Jays and continue to impress coaches with his play. The young infielder has shown promise in his brief time in the majors and will be looking to prove himself as a valuable asset to the team moving forward.

Overall, the Blue Jays’ roster move highlights the importance of family and the support that teams provide to players during significant life events. Turner’s absence will be felt on the field, but Berroa’s presence will help fill the void and keep the team competitive during this time.