TORONTO -- The Blue Jays have decided to go temporarily with an eight-man bullpen, and that roster configuration could last until the club visits a National League park next week.
Toronto is set to begin Interleague Play on the road with a three-game series against the Giants on Monday. The Blue Jays intend to return to a normal four-man bench for that series, but an extra reliever could be carried until then.
Left-hander Chad Girodo became the extra man in the bullpen when he was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo following Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over the Rangers. Infielder Matt Dominguez was optioned to Buffalo to make room on the 25-man active roster.
"In case we need an extra arm, we kept an extra pitcher," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "We can be flexible with that over the next few days depending on how things go. We start playing National League teams next week. I'll want to increase the bench a little bit, too."
Girodo gives the Blue Jays a much-needed second left-hander in the bullpen. Veteran Brett Cecil had been the only lefty available, but he has struggled so far this season with an 0-5 record and a 5.59 ERA in 15 appearances.
Girodo, 25, made his big league debut earlier this season but made just one appearance. He had a 1.04 ERA in six appearances for Buffalo.
"We need another lefty," Gibbons said. "He pitched good his first go-around here. He looked pretty good."
Riding the hot bat
Justin Smoak's two-homer performance on Tuesday night earned him a slight promotion in the lineup. Smoak hit fifth Wednesday as struggling veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was dropped down one spot in the order.

Tulowitzki entered play Wednesday hitting .167 (16-for-96) with five home runs and 13 RBIs in 27 games. Smoak hit his first home run of the season in the ninth inning of Tuesday's victory and later hit a two-run walk-off homer in the 10th. He became the first player in franchise history to tie the game in the ninth with a home run and then hit a walk-off shot in extras.
"Good night last night, break it up," Gibbons said.
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Bautista good to go
Right fielder Jose Bautista appeared to be in a great deal of discomfort following an attempted sliding catch in the top of the ninth inning. Bautista just missed making a diving play on Texas' Ian Desmond, but he appeared to aggravate his right shoulder in the process.
Bautista was seen grabbing at his shoulder and neck area for several minutes after the play, but he remained in the game and took his at-bat in the bottom half of the inning. On Wednesday, Gibbons claimed he was not aware of any issue.
"Nobody said a word to me," Gibbons said of Bautista, who was in the lineup Wednesday night. "Usually [the trainers] will come to you and say something if it's bothering him, but they haven't said a word."