The Toronto Blue Jays‘ bullpen will soon get a much-needed boost.
Reliever Yimi Garcia is on his way to join the Blue Jays in Arizona, and could be activated for Sunday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, manager John Schneider told reporters Saturday.
Garcia made a rehab start with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Friday and recorded two outs over 17 pitches, allowed two hits and walked one hitter.
Garcia has been working back from right elbow ulnar neuritis, which forced him onto the 15-day injured list in mid-June.
The right-hander 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.
Schneider also provided an update on injured shortstop Bo Bichette who remained out of the Blue Jays’ lineup for Saturday’s game against the Diamondbacks with a right calf strain.
The Blue Jays manager said that Bichette is making progress, but the team may keep him out of the lineup over the weekend to let him recover.
Sunday’s game against the Diamondbacks is the Blue Jays’ final contest before MLB’s All-Star break. Toronto returns to action on July 19th against the Detroit Tigers.
Bichette was injured in Wednesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants. The 26-year-old infielder owns a .595 OPS through 79 games this season and spent time on the injured list with another calf strain earlier this year.
You can watch the Blue Jays take on the Diamondbacks Saturday live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT.