The Toronto Blue Jays are inching closer to getting one of their best relievers back.
Yimi García, who went on the 15-day injured list on June 17 with right elbow ulnar neuritis, is set to join Buffalo on Friday and pitch in his first rehab outing on Saturday, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
The right-hander left his outing against the Cleveland Guardians on June 16 in the ninth inning due to soreness, but an MRI the same day revealed no structural damage.
García has been Toronto’s best bullpen arm in 2024, posting a 2.57 ERA, a 3-0 record, 37 strikeouts and five saves over 28.0 innings this season.
He has been a stabilizing force in what has been a shaky season for Blue Jays relievers, as Jordan Romano is recovering from elbow surgery, Erik Swanson has been demoted to triple-A Buffalo and veteran Tim Mayza was designated for assignment.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Avisail Garcia is set to make his rehab debut for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Saturday, as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since early August with a sprained knee, but has been making progress in his rehab and is now ready to take the next step towards returning to the Blue Jays’ lineup.
Garcia was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers in July, and was hitting .262 with 20 home runs and 72 RBI in 98 games before his injury. His presence in the lineup was sorely missed during his absence, as the Blue Jays struggled to find consistent production from their outfielders in his absence.
The addition of Garcia to the Buffalo Bisons’ roster will provide a boost to the team as they push for a playoff spot in the triple-A East division. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the younger players on the team, and his presence in the lineup will give the Bisons a much-needed offensive spark.
Blue Jays fans will be eagerly anticipating Garcia’s return to the major league roster, as he has proven to be a valuable contributor both at the plate and in the field. His rehab stint with the Bisons will give him the opportunity to get back up to speed and regain his form before rejoining the Blue Jays for the stretch run of the season.
Overall, Garcia’s impending rehab debut for triple-A Buffalo is a positive development for both him and the Blue Jays organization. His return to full health will bolster the team’s chances of making a postseason push, and his presence in the lineup will provide a much-needed boost to an already potent offense. Fans can look forward to seeing Garcia back in action soon, hopefully making a big impact for the Blue Jays down the stretch.