Bowden Francis will make his return to the Toronto Blue Jays rotation Sunday as the team looks for a series win over the Oakland Athletics.

The Blue Jays had listed their Sunday starter as to be determined but announced Saturday night that Francis would get the ball to begin the game.

The 28-year-old righty made his return from the injured list to Toronto’s pitching staff earlier this week and served as a “bulk” reliever behind Trevor Richards and Genesis Cabrera in a 10-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Francis allowed five hits, four runs and no walks while striking out two in the outing.

He will be tasked with going up against Oakland’s Mitch Spence, who owns a 3.86 ERA on the season.

The Jays’ bullpen should be in good shape after Kevin Gausman pitched a complete game in a Toronto win on Saturday.

Francis is filling Alek Manoah’s spot after it was announced earlier this week that the right-hander would be undergoing season-ending elbow surgery.

Francis began the year in the Blue Jays rotation, getting starts the first two times through, but allowed 12 total runs before being moved to the bullpen.

Acquired by Toronto in 2021, Francis has a 2-2 record with a 9.00 ERA over 18 MLB innings this season.

Watch Sunday’s game at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.

The Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up for an exciting matchup against the Oakland Athletics this Sunday, with Bowden Francis set to take the mound as the starting pitcher. Francis, a promising young talent in the Blue Jays’ organization, will be looking to make a strong impression in his first start of the season.

Francis, who was drafted by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, has shown flashes of brilliance in his minor league career. With a fastball that can reach speeds of up to 95 mph and a devastating curveball, Francis has the potential to be a dominant force on the mound.

The Blue Jays will be counting on Francis to deliver a solid performance against a tough Athletics lineup. The Athletics, who currently sit atop the AL West standings, boast a potent offense led by sluggers like Matt Olson and Ramon Laureano. Francis will need to be on top of his game if he hopes to keep the Athletics’ bats in check.

In addition to his impressive pitching repertoire, Francis also brings a competitive spirit and a strong work ethic to the mound. Known for his tireless dedication to his craft, Francis has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches alike.

Fans of the Blue Jays will be eagerly anticipating Francis’ start on Sunday, as they look forward to seeing what the young pitcher can bring to the table. With his combination of talent and determination, Francis has the potential to be a key contributor for the Blue Jays as they push for a playoff spot in the competitive AL East division.

So mark your calendars and tune in this Sunday as Bowden Francis takes the mound for the Blue Jays against the Athletics. It promises to be an exciting matchup that you won’t want to miss.