Blue Jays activate Gurriel, send Urena down

The Toronto Blue Jays activated infield prospect Lourdes Gurriel on Friday. Photo Credit: Amanda Fewer

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- Set to take on the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game interleague series at Rogers Centre this weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays have formally activated infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. off the disabled list and have optioned fellow INF Richard Urena down to triple-A Buffalo.

Gurriel Jr., 24, slashed .322/.349/.503 through 38 games with the Blue Jays prior to landing on the DL with a left ankle sprain on July 30. Those numbers include 12 extra-base hits and a current 11-game multi-hit streak that matches Ross Barnes' 1876 record for the longest such run by a rookie in American League history.

In five minor-league tuneups prior to Friday's move, the hard-hitting Cuban infielder hit .318 (7-for-22) while striking out five times and driving in as many runners.

Through 20 games with the Blue Jays this season, Urena has posted an OPS of .742 while splitting time between second, third and short. The former top prospect exits Toronto's 25-man roster having picked up a hit in each of his last four contests.

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