Sanchez could make 1-2 starts before bullpen move

The decision won't be a popular one in Toronto, but Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez will be moved to the bullpen.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins confirmed the 24-year-old, who hasn't lost since April 22, could make up to two more starts before being moved to the bullpen Monday, reports Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

The idea of shifting Sanchez back to the bullpen has been floating through the minds of the Blue Jays brass since spring training, with the young hurler already pitching a career high 139.1 innings. But, with the All-Star posting an incredible 11-1 record with an American League-leading 2.71 ERA, his loss could turn out to be a big one, especially considering Sanchez isn't feeling worse for wear.

"I feel strong. I haven't even broken a sweat," he told Nicholson-Smith Monday. "I don't feel fatigued. I haven't felt fatigued all year."

Adding Sanchez to a bullpen, along with recent additions Joaquin Benoit, Scott Feldman, and Mike Bolsinger, should help fortify an area that's been a soft spot for the Blue Jays all year, but losing their most-effective starter could deal an even bigger blow to the team.

Toronto did try to supplement Sanchez's loss in the rotation by trading for former 16-game winner Francisco Liriano from the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, but the left-hander has strained through his worst season since 2012, posting a career-worst 1.62 WHIP to go along with a 5.46 ERA.

"A big part of Aaron is we feel like with transitioning him to a relief role will be the best thing for us being in a Game 7 of the World Series,” Atkins said on a conference call, according to The Canadian Press. "We’re still working through the timing but this (trade) allows us to do that."

"The best chance for us to win a World Series is if Aaron Sanchez is part of the team, and we felt like the best odds of him being part of the team was at some point some transition to the bullpen. With that in mind, we now have the option to do that."

Sanchez is scheduled to start Friday against the Kansas City Royals.