TORONTO -- Sergio Santos is leaving Toronto, but the Blue Jays hope his absence is temporary. NMD Restock Canada . The Blue Jays designated the right-handed former closer for assignment Monday, which meant putting him on waivers because he was out of minor league options. General manager Alex Anthopoulos hopes the 31-year-old can get back into major-league form while pitching for triple-A Buffalo, provided he clears waivers Wednesday. "The way to get things worked out is to go throw some innings," Anthopoulos said. "We hope this is a quick move, get some innings, get hot and come back because we certainly could use the help." Santos hadnt been helping the Blue Jays much lately, giving up five earned runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings over his past four appearances. He issued four walks in that time, and Anthopoulos singled out a lack of command as the biggest issue. Because of that, and because Toronto is chasing down the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles, there havent been many opportunities for manager John Gibbons to help Santos out by putting him into games. "Its tough to find spots to find that groove a little bit," Gibbons said. "Hes a little out of whack right now, but its tough to find him work." Santos is making US$3.75 million, which could deter other teams, even those searching for bullpen help, from claiming him off waivers. Anthopoulos didnt want to discuss the odds of Santos making it through. What the Blue Jays GM made clear was that Santos was still very much wanted, adding that he wouldnt explore trade options. Anthopoulos also said Santos, who has a 7.78 earned-run average in 24 appearances this season and briefly filled in for injured closer Casey Janssen, had not asked to be traded. "Hes a very accountable guy, he knows he hasnt pitched to his ability," Anthopoulos said. "He knows he can be a dominant closer, setup guy, whatever is needed. I think like anybody hes got all the belief in the world in himself and hell be fine. Hell get it back." In his place, the Blue Jays recalled left-handed reliever Rob Rasmussen from Buffalo. In two previous call-ups this season, the 25-year-old allowed four earned runs in six innings while striking out seven. With Rasmussen on the 25-man roster in place of Santos, the Jays have just two right-handed relievers ahead of Janssen in Dustin McGowan and Todd Redmond. They have four lefties in Brett Cecil, Aaron Loup, Brad Mills and now Rasmussen, but Anthopoulos said he was not concerned about the lack of balance there. "We dont look at it that way," Anthopoulos said. "Were looking at just guys that can get outs for us. Right, left, submarine, whatever it is: If you can get three outs, its fine." Santos hadnt been able to do that effectively, which led to Mondays move. After a strong September that saw him post a 0.90 ERA in 10 appearances, Santos couldnt locate his fastball well enough to get ahead of hitters. "Theres no doubt it starts there. His sliders his out pitch, but you cant get to the slider if you dont get the fastball over," Anthopoulos said. "Theres very few guys ... that can just go slider, slider, slider the entire time." Anthopoulos said Santos would be a "priority guy" with the Bisons if he clears waivers so that he can throw a lot of innings and get his command back. Anthopoulos added there was no doubt Santos was healthy enough and that command problems were not a result of injury, even though Santos has some history of arm troubles. If its a matter of confidence, Gibbons isnt worried about Santos. "Everybody battles (a lack of confidence) when things get tough," he said. "But I think its more just putting it together again." Notes -- Workouts continued Monday for injured players Edwin Encarnacion, Adam Lind and Brett Lawrie. Encarnacion and Lind are in Dunedin, Fla., and Gibbons said each player took batting practice on the field while Encarnacion also fielded some ground balls. Lawrie, who is in Toronto, did throwing and agility drills. Adidas NMD Racer Canada .com) - Guard Greivis Vasquez and forward Patrick Patterson, two key pieces to the Toronto Raptors run to an Atlantic Division title in 2013-14, were both given qualifying offers by the team on Saturday. NMDs For Sale Canada . -- Those impatient for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada will have just one team to root for in the NHL playoffs -- the Montreal Canadiens. http://www.nmdshoescanada.com/nmd-xr1-cheap-canada/black.html . Yet coming off consecutive series losses at St. Louis and Pittsburgh, Los Angeles needed some sort of spark as August approaches. The Dodgers found it in the ballpark of their biggest rival, and left the Bay Area in first place following an emphatic three-game swing.BUFFALO, N.Y. - Bill Polian told the Buffalo Bills thanks, but no thanks: Hes taking himself out of the running for a proposed front-office job with his former team.Polian told The Associated Press he has elected to stay in broadcasting after informing Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula of his decision on Thursday. His decision followed several discussions with the Pegulas, who had gauged Polians interest in filling a newly created role overseeing the teams football operations.ESPN, for whom Polian works, first reported the development.Polians announcement comes a day after Bills head coach Doug Marrone left the team by exercising the opt-out clause in his contract.The Bills are coming off a 9-7 season, their best finish in 10 years. Yet, they still missed the playoffs to extend the NFLs longest active post-season drought to 15 years.The Pegulas, who also own the NHL Buffalo Sabres, are new to the NFL. They bought the Bills for a league-record $1.4 billion in October after Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson died in March. The Pegulas turned to Polian in a bid to add a veteran presence to steer the teams development.With Polian out of the picture, their top priority is finding a coach, in what becomes the Bills sixth head-coaching search since Wade Phhillips was fired after the 2000 season. NMD R2 Canada. Marrone, now free to find another job, stepped down after a 15-17 record over two seasons.Its unclear whether the Pegulas will seek outside advice during the coaching search, or rely on team president Russ Brandon and general manager Doug Whaley to identify candidates.At 72, Polian has been working as an NFL TV and radio analyst (with SiriusXM) since 2012, after being fired from his position as Indianapolis Colts president. Polian is a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist this year and six-time NFL executive of the year. He first established his reputation as an NFL architect with the Bills from 1984-93.He spent two seasons as Bills pro personnel director before being promoted to general manager. It was in this role that Polian built a star-studded, Marv Levy-coached and Jim Kelly-quarterbacked team that won four consecutive AFC championships — but lost all four Super Bowl appearances — and produced six Hall of Famers.Polian was fired after the 1993 season, and eventually spent four seasons as GM of the NFL-expansion Carolina Panthers before joining the Colts. Both of those franchises made the Super Bowl under Polian.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '