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Blue Jays get Francisco Liriano, shift Aaron Sanchez to bullpen

MLB, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Toronto Blue Jays' pitching staff will have a revamped look after a busy trade deadline day for the team.

In addition to acquiring three new pitchers from three different teams -- most notably Pittsburgh Pirates leftie Francisco Liriano -- the Jays will transition starter Aaron Sanchez to the bullpen.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Monday that the 24-year-old Sanchez will make one or two more starts. Sanchez is unbeaten in 17 starts since April 22.

His next start is scheduled for Friday against the Royals, and manager John Gibbons said Sanchez will definitely make that start.

Sanchez leads the American League with a 2.71 ERA and is 11-1 in 21 starts. But the Blue Jays want to manage his innings as he already is at a career-high this season.

He has pitched 139 1/3 innings this season. His previous high was 133 1/3 between Double-A, Triple-A and the majors in 2014.

With Sanchez transitioning to the bullpen, the newly-acquired Liriano will likely slot into the Jays' starting rotation.

Liriano revived his career in Pittsburgh, going 35-25 from 2013-15 while helping the Pirates to three straight playoff berths. He has struggled this season, posting a 6-11 record with a 5.46 ERA.

The Blue Jays are hoping a change of scenery can help Liriano return to form as they compete for the AL East crown. Liriano is signed through 2017 and is due $13.66 million next season.

Toronto also received minor league prospects Reese McGuire and Harold Ramirez from the Pirates in the Liriano deal. The Jays will in return send pitcher Drew Hutchison to the Pirates.

The 25-year-old Hutchinson has a career record of 30-22 but with a 4.92 ERA. He is 1-0 this season with the Blue Jays and has spent most of the year in Triple-A.

But Toronto's personnel moves didn't stop there.

The Blue Jays also traded reliever Jesse Chavez and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-hander Mike Bolsinger.

Bolsinger, 28, was 1-4 with a 6.83 ERA for the Dodgers this season. He has also spent some time in the minors in 2016. Bolsinger made 21 starts for Los Angeles last year, going 6-6 with a 3.62 ERA.

Chavez, 32, is 1-2 with a 4.57 ERA in 39 appearances this season. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal this season and will be a free agent next year.

In yet another move, Toronto acquired right-hander Scott Feldman from the Houston Astros for minor league right-hander Lupe Chavez.

Feldman, 33, is 5-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 26 games this season. He has also started five games for the Astros this year. Feldman is in the final year of a three-year, $30 million contract.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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