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Blue Jays, Indians set rosters for ALCS showdown

Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With the battle for the AL pennant set to begin Friday night at Progressive Field, the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians have announced their 25-man roster for the best-of-seven American League Championship Series that will determine who advances to the 112th Fall Classic.

Toronto Blue Jays

Notably, the Blue Jays' roster includes Francisco Liriano and Devon Travis, both of whom sustained injuries during their club's division series sweep of the Texas Rangers. Liriano, who had pitched exclusively in relief this postseason, was diagnosed with a mild concussion after taking a line drive of the back of his head in Game 2, while Travis missed the final two games of the series with a bone bruise in his right knee.

Also, after being left off the roster for the ALDS, pinch-running specialist Dalton Pompey has been added to the championship series roster, replacing little-used first baseman Justin Smoak. Ryan Goins, the utlity infielder who appeared in 77 games this season, is also on the roster, while long reliever Scott Feldman - who hasn't pitched since Sept. 20 - has been axed.

Here's how their ALCS roster breaks down:

Pitchers (11)

Joe Biagini, Brett Cecil, Marco Estrada, Jason Grilli, J.A. Happ, Francisco Liriano, Aaron Loup, Roberto Osuna, Aaron Sanchez, Marcus Stroman, Ryan Tepera

Catchers (2)

Russell Martin, Dioner Navarro

Infielders (6)

Darwin Barney, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Ryan Goins, Devon Travis, Troy Tulowitzki

Outfielders (6)

Jose Bautista, Ezequiel Carrera, Kevin Pillar, Dalton Pompey, Michael Saunders, Melvin Upton Jr.

Cleveland Indians

Though Danny Salazar's absence didn't stop them from sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series, the Indians will now have to navigate the ALCS, too, without their 26-year-old right-hander as he continues to nurse a forearm strain. Earlier this week, there was optimism Salazar might be able to rejoin the Indians in a bullpen role for the ALCS, but the club ultimately decided he wasn't ready, omitting the newly minted All-Star who fashioned a 3.87 ERA (121 ERA+) over 25 starts this season.

The Indians also opted to scrap the third catcher from their roster for the league championship series, replacing Chris Gimenez with rookie left-hander Ryan Merritt, who posted a 1.64 ERA over one start and three relief appearances down the stretch.

Here's how their ALCS roster breaks down:

Pitchers (12)

Cody Allen, Cody Anderson, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger, Corey Kluber, Jeff Manship, Ryan Merritt, Zach McAllister, Andrew Miller, Dan Otero, Bryan Shaw, Josh Tomlin

Catchers (2)

Yan Gomes, Roberto Perez

Infielders (6)

Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Michael Martinez, Mike Napoli, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana

Outfielders (5)

Lonnie Chisenhall, Coco Crisp, Rajai Davis, Brandon Guyer, Tyler Naquin

The umpires for the ALCS are Laz Diaz, Mike Everitt, Jeff Nelson, Jim Reynolds, Jim Wolf, Mark Wegner, crew chief Brian Gorman, and replay official Tripp Gibson.

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