Blue Jays option Aaron Sanchez

Toronto optioned starter Aaron Sanchez to Single-A on Sunday morning, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.

In the corresponding roster move, Aaron Loup was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.

Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons told Davidi Toronto was considering skipping one of Sanchez’s starts in the near future. The organization now can continue to monitor his innings, with Sanchez expected to pitch on August 31 against the Orioles, according to Davidi.

Sanchez, 24, struggled Saturday night, allowing five runs and four hits in Toronto’s 6-5 win over Cleveland. His next scheduled start was next Saturday against Minnesota.

In his full season in Toronto’s rotation, Sanchez has pitched well, posting a 2.99 ERA and 3.33 FIP over 156.1 innings.

Since Sanchez pitched just more than 100 combined innings with the Blue Jays and in the minor leagues last season, Toronto is carefully monitoring his work load. Toronto turned to a six man rotation earlier this month, but Blue Jays President of Baseball Operations Mark Shapiro told the media he doesn’t expect Sanchez to toss more than 220 innings this season.

Toronto enters play Sunday at first place in the American League East, and it seems the club is in a position to make a playoff run. If the Blue Jays remain competitive, they might have to consider skipping one or two more of Sanchez’s scheduled starts this season.