TORONTO -- Three months ago, it looked like the Blue Jays’ roster decisions would come down to three spots.

There were decisions to be made about carrying two extra outfielders versus a utility infielder, as well as who would fill out the bullpen, but those conversations are suddenly much wider with the new roster rules entering the 60-game 2020 regular season.

Clubs will open the regular season on July 23 or 24, with a 30-man roster for the first two weeks. The rosters will then shrink to 28 players for another two weeks, before returning to the standard 26 for the rest of the way. For the Blue Jays, that means more opportunities and the possibility that some competitions will stretch into the season.

• Blue Jays FAQ: Details on the upcoming season

Some of these decisions became clear enough in spring, like Joe Panik emerging in the infield and A.J. Cole in the bullpen. The following players should see their odds of cracking the Opening Day roster increase, though, and some are staring at a new opportunity altogether.

1. RHP Nate Pearson
Yes, it’s time to talk about Pearson again. Service time remains a factor, but over a 60-game season, Pearson could be a game-changer in the rotation, out of the bullpen or in a hybrid role. Now that building him up for a full season of 180-plus innings is not an immediate concern, it’s difficult to picture this roster without the towering Pearson throwing 102 mph. If hitters need some extra time to catch up to pitchers, as is often the case in Spring Training, Pearson could be downright unfair.

2. IF Brandon Drury
Drury was at risk of falling off the roster in March, with Panik emerging on the infield and limited bench spots, but his ability to play second, third and some corner outfield in a pinch will help him here. Drury has an option year remaining, but manager Charlie Montoyo loves his glove on the infield, where he could back up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on DH days.

3. C Caleb Joseph
Montoyo hinted at an openness to carrying three catchers on his 26-man roster in March, which seemed very unlikely at the time, but there’s more room for Joseph now. The Blue Jays will at least need Joseph as a travelling taxi squad member in case of injury. His influence in a young clubhouse during this unique season cannot be understated.

4. OF Anthony Alford
In a Spring Training game in February, Alford reached base and then stole second, third and home. This is why -- even though Alford turns 26 in July and this will be his ninth season in the organization -- it’s still easy to dream on his raw talent. Perhaps Alford can flash that potential over a shorter sample of 60 games, making him a valuable piece of the core roster, but at minimum, he’d make a fine late-game threat on the bases.

5. OF Jonathan Davis
Much like his brother-in-law and fellow new father, Alford, Davis could earn a spot for his speed. Over 162 games, a player needs to impact the game in all areas, but if a player has one tool that can change one or two games over 60, that’s major. Davis also might be the club’s best defensive center fielder right now, further adding to his value.

6. 1B Rowdy Tellez
In spring, Tellez’s fate was tied, in a way, to the outfield group. Would the Blue Jays keep two extra outfielders and use the DH spot as a revolving door, or keep one extra and give Tellez another chance to mash? To open the season, Tellez could DH, provide a bench bat or split time with Travis Shaw at first. Tellez changed his body over the offseason, so this could be a big opportunity for him to take a step.

7. IF Rubén Tejada
Known more for a glove that’s kept him in the Majors for parts of nine seasons despite his .641 OPS, these roster changes have moved Tejada from “unlikely” to a potential next man up. He might not break the game wide open, but Tejada is reliable in the field, which the club would value should a need arise.

8. RHP Justin Miller
Miller, 33, looked sharp in Spring Training for Toronto, allowing just one run on two hits over six innings. He brings a high-spin fastball -- something the Blue Jays love -- that can reach into the mid-90s. A 60-game season presents the opportunity for relievers to come out of nowhere and dominate over 20 to 30 innings. Why not Miller?

9. RHP Bryan Baker
Listen closely to general manager Ross Atkins or president Mark Shapiro go through their lists of Minor League players on the horizon, and you’ll hear Baker’s name come up more than you might expect. Acquired from the Rockies in the 2018 Seunghwan Oh deal, Baker doesn’t rank on the Blue Jays’ Top Prospects list, but keep his name in mind. Perhaps he could become a factor off the taxi squad at midseason, but if he can limit his walks (6.0 per nine innings in 2019), there could be room in the bullpen for the 6-foot-6 right-hander whose fastball flirts with 100 mph.

10. RHP Sean Reid-Foley
This spring, Reid-Foley was competing as a starter and was likely headed to Triple-A Buffalo. Still just 24 years old, there are some in the organization who believe Reid-Foley would be better suited to a bullpen role after posting a 6.47 ERA in Triple-A last season and struggling with consistency. If there’s ever a time to workshop that idea and try to catch lightning in a bottle, even in a multi-inning role so that he doesn’t shorten up too much, it’s now.