CLEVELAND (AP) - Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis will not play again this season after returning to Toronto on Saturday for more tests on his injured right knee.
Travis was replaced by first baseman Justin Smoak, meaning Travis is ineligible for the ALCS and World Series if the Blue Jays advance. Major League Baseball had to approve the roster substitution.
Travis left Friday night’s ALCS opener after aggravating a bone bruise in his right knee while covering first base in the fifth inning. He missed the final two games of Toronto’s AL Division Series sweep over Texas with the injury.
Travis underwent an MRI after the division series and again on Saturday, and the Blue Jays asked MLB for Travis to be replaced. After Travis’ medical tests and history were reviewed by Dr. Gary Green, the MLB medical director, Smoak was added to the ALCS roster.
The 29-year-old Smoak batted .217 with 14 homers and 34 RBIs in 126 regular season games.
Darwin Barney started at second base in Game 2 place of Travis. Manager John Gibbons said Ryan Goins could also be used at second. Both Barney and Goins played in Game 1.
Following Toronto’s 2-0 loss in Game 1, a discouraged Travis said he felt a sharp pain in his knee. He batted .300 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs in 101 games during the season.
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