Saltalamacchia is starting at catcher and batting eighth in Friday's game against the Rays, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Russell Martin gets the day off, allowing Saltalamacchia a rare starting opportunity. The switch-hitter will look to make an immediate impact upon his new team, though he'll need improve upon his 2016 stat line -- .171/.284/.346 -- if he is to see more regular playing time in a talented Blue Jay lineup.

The Blue Jays purchased Saltalamacchia's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Russell Martin will work as the Blue Jays' primary option at catcher, but Saltalamacchia, who attended spring training as a non-roster invitee, quickly distinguished himself as the top candidate for backup duties. The veteran backstop still has some power in his bat, but his .309 career on-base percentage will make it difficult for him to seriously push Martin for playing time.

Saltalamacchia's workload this season will depend heavily on how much work starter Russell Martin wants to take on, Corey Long of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager John Gibbons said that he isn't too far off from disclosing the Blue Jays' planned pitching rotation this season. In the process of making that announcement, he will also figure out how he wants to utilize the backup catcher. The skipper added that he'll look to identify which pitcher Saltalamacchia meshes with best early in the campaign before making a set schedule for the catchers. Ultimately, though, the divvying of playing time will be up to Martin. "Really, it's going to revolve around Russ and when he needs a day," Gibbons said. In 2016, Martin logged his heaviest workload in seven season, but the gritty veteran is unlikely to cede any time behind the dish if he can avoid it. For now, Saltalamacchia is nothing more than a handcuff for Martin owners and a punt in daily leagues when he's called upon.

Saltalamacchia will enter camp as the favorite to back up starting catcher Russell Martin, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This news contradicts another story from MLB.com that suggests A.J. Jimenez will be the team's backup. With the latter out of options, the Jays risk losing the 26-year-old Jimenez to waivers if they opt for Saltalamacchia on Opening Day. Saltalamacchia will be entering his 10th big league season and has a career .234/.309/.413 slash line. A savvy veteran he may be, but a fantasy asset he's not. Even if Saltalamacchia beats out Jimenez this spring, he won't be worth a roster spot in most formats if Martin remains healthy.

Saltalamacchia agreed to a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, pending a physical, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saltalamacchia was hot out of the gates with Detroit last season, smacking six homers in his first 12 games, but he finished with a .171 average and 69 wRC+ in 292 plate appearances. He'll get a chance to compete for the backup role behind Russell Martin, and while he has enough power to reach double-digits in home runs even in a reserve role, the 31-year-old sells out for that power (30.5 percent strikeout rate for career) and that makes him a huge liability in the batting average category.

Saltalamacchia became a free agent Monday after the Tigers did not extend him a qualifying offer, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saltalamacchia had a couple spurts of success with Detroit, but overall his numbers were among the worst of his career. He'll likely look to sign a minor league contract somewhere if he can't garner a backup catching job.

Saltalamacchia went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Since the start of August, Salty has gone 6-for-54 (.111) with two extra base hits and nine walks. His batting average has dropped well below Mendoza at .179 and his OPS sits at .675. Platoon-mate James McCann has just a .646 OPS on the season, but while Saltalamacchia's game is on the slide, McCann's is on the rise (16-for-50 since mid-August). Salty is a risk in any fantasy lineup at this point.

Saltalamacchia went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo shot in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Saltalamacchia started at first base in place of the injured Miguel Cabrera in part because manager Brad Ausmus hoped to take advantage of his offensive punch. According to Statcast, Saltalamacchia's drive to the center-field shrubs traveled an estimated 438 feet from the plate. It marked Saltalamacchia's 34th RBI of the season on his 37th hit, 11 of which have been home runs. Unfortunately for 31-year-old, he's rarely been able to capitalize on that power as Salty is hitting just .200 (37-for-185) on the year.

Saltalamacchia is 3-for-19 (.158) with one walk, two RBI and no extra-base hits in August. For the month, his slash line is .158/.238/.158.

EDGE Analysis

Salty's overall slash line of .197/.312/.399 is a bit better, but still akes him a queasy play for fantasy owners. Saltalamacchia is better overall against righties (.200/.329/.436) and should probably be deployed solely against them. But the Tigers have been pretty much splitting time between Salty and James McCann. Avoid him if you can. If not, trot him out against righties and hold your breath.

Saltalamacchia hit a pinch solo homer Sunday at the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Saltalamacchia's 10th big fly of the campaign came with two outs in the ninth inning and brought the Tigers all the way back from a three-run deficit in the frame. The bomb was his first hit in his last 15 at-bats, and he's now slashing .189/.311/.421 on the year.