Toronto @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( May 28, 2013 ) Atlanta 7, Toronto 6

While a pair of major roster moves highlighted Toronto's offseason, a less-publicized trade takes center stage Wednesday as the Blue Jays visit Atlanta to kick off the back end of a four-game home-and-home series. Prior to their blockbuster trade with Miami and the acquisition of National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey from the New York Mets, the Blue Jays nabbed right-hander Esmil Rogers from Cleveland. He'll make his first start of the season as Toronto opens a seven-game road trip.

Rogers has been thrust into a starter's role as injuries continue to torpedo the Blue Jays' season. Brandon Morrow was the latest to join the list of wounded, suffering forearm tightness that limited him to just two innings into Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Braves. Rogers hasn't started since 2011, when he was a member of the Colorado Rockies. He'll face a Braves lineup that rode four homers - including two from All-Star catcher Brian McCann - to a one-sided win Tuesday and a split of the two-game series at the Rogers Centre.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), SPSO (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Esmil Rogers (1-2, 4.56 ERA) vs. Braves RH Kris Medlen (1-5, 3.16)

Rogers has been one of Toronto's most active pitchers - making 22 appearances - but manager John Gibbons is confident the transition back to starter won't be difficult. "He's started before and in his last two starts he's thrown three innings apiece," Gibbons told reporters over the weekend. "He's got a big arm and we're going to give him a shot at it." Rogers likely won't be in the rotation for long, with Josh Johnson (triceps) recovering well and on target to return in early-June.

Medlen's won-lost record may be among the most abysmal in the National League, but it isn't due to poor performance. The 27-year-old, who went 10-1 a season ago, has posted quality starts in four of his last five outings - but has two losses and three no-decisions to show for it. Medlen is 0-4 in his last eight starts overall, and has yet to win in four home outings. Tuesday marks his first career encounter with the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rogers will be the 11th different starter used by Toronto in 2013. The Blue Jays had 12 pitchers make a start last season.

2. The three active Blue Jays to have faced Medlen - Colby Rasmus, Emilio Bonifacio and Henry Blanco - are a combined 0-for-8 with two walks.

3. The teams are deadlocked at 16 wins apiece in their head-to-head matchup since Toronto defeated Atlanta to win the 1992 World Series.

PREDICTION: Braves 8, Blue Jays 3