The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Saturday that pitcher Chris Bassitt has been placed on the injured list due to back inflammation. This decision comes as the team approaches the final stretch of the regular season, aiming to secure the top position in the American League East. The announcement was made before the Blue Jays' game against the Kansas City Royals.

Bassitt's injury follows a recent start where he pitched 4.1 innings. After that game, he mentioned feeling the toll of the long season. The injured list placement is retroactive to September 19, allowing Bassitt to potentially return for the postseason, which is expected to start on October 4, contingent on the team's performance in the division.

With only eight games left in the regular season, the configuration of the starting rotation for the playoffs remains uncertain. Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber appear to have secured the top two spots in the rotation. However, the decisions of manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker regarding the remaining spots are still to be determined.

Rookie Trey Yesavage, who impressed in his major league debut earlier this week, is set to start on Sunday. This outing is seen as an audition for a possible playoff role. Bassitt's injury comes on the heels of a rough outing for veteran Max Scherzer, who struggled against the Royals, allowing seven runs in just two outs during a 20-1 loss.

Additionally, Jose Berrios has been moved to the bullpen after a challenging season. Schneider indicated that Berrios would remain in the bullpen for at least the remainder of the weekend series against the Royals. In response to Bassitt's injury, left-hander Mason Fluharty has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and activated for Saturday's game. This move aims to provide relief to a bullpen that has been heavily utilized during a stretch of 12 consecutive games.

Berrios, who expressed dissatisfaction with his demotion, could return to the rotation if necessary. The immediate focus for the Blue Jays is to secure a top-two seed in the AL, which would allow them to avoid the wildcard round. Prior to Saturday's game, Schneider stated that, aided by an off day on Monday, the team plans to maintain a four-man rotation. This rotation will feature Yesavage on Sunday, followed by Gausman, Scherzer, and Bieber for the upcoming series against the Boston Red Sox. Depending on the team's playoff positioning after that series, further adjustments may be made.