Gibbons says Blue Jays unlikely to trade Estrada: 'Nothing's going to happen'

Sitting just 3 1/2 games back of the second American League wild-card berth, the Toronto Blue Jays aren't about to trade Marco Estrada.

Though the veteran right-hander was reportedly claimed on revocable trade waivers by an unknown team, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Tuesday he doesn't expect Estrada to be moved.

"Nothing's going to happen," Gibbons told Sportsnet's Hazel Mae ahead of Estrada's start against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. "We need him. Gut tells me nothing's gonna happen, or I have inside info."

If the Blue Jays don't work out a trade with the team that claimed Estrada within 48 hours, the 34-year-old can be placed on waivers again, but at that point the waiver request becomes irrevocable, meaning Toronto would lose him if another team claims him. Gibbons insisted it's not worth worrying about all those hypotheticals.

"Most guys go through (waivers), most of them probably get claimed anyways," Gibbons explained. "Nothing's going to happen."

A free agent this winter, Estrada has turned things around of late following a dismal six-week stretch, allowing just six earned runs over his last four outings to lower his cumulative ERA to 4.85 through 24 starts in 2017. An All-Star last year, he's been a fixture in the Blue Jays' rotation for the last three seasons, crafting a 3.73 ERA (115 ERA+) with a 1.17 WHIP in 81 starts and six relief appearances since arriving in Toronto ahead of the 2015 campaign.

Gibbons wouldn't mind penciling him into his 2018 rotation, either.

"I'd love to have him back," Gibbons said, according to MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm. "No doubt. Mmm-hmm. Yep. And he loves it here, I know that."