Gibbons to let Martin take over manager’s role for final Blue Jays game

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — John Gibbons will be letting Canadian catcher Russell Martin take over managing duties for the Blue Jays Sunday in Toronto’s season finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The team confirmed Gibbons’ decision in a tweet Saturday afternoon, saying Martin would create the lineup card and make all the in-game moves.

Toronto general manager Ross Atkins announced earlier this week that Gibbons, who has managed the Blue Jays for 12 years over two separate stints, will not be returning to the club in 2019. Sunday’s game will be his last at the helm of the Blue Jays.

The 35-year-old Martin, who was born in Toronto but grew up in Montreal, has played just 90 games this season and only twice this month while September call-up Reese McGuire, rookie Danny Jansen and veteran Luke Maile shared the catching duties.