Blue Jays’ Garcia exits vs. Guardians with right elbow soreness

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia exited Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians during his ninth-inning closing appearance.

Manager John Schneider told reporters after the game that he was dealing with right elbow soreness.

Facing Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez with two outs, Garcia was pulled from the game after a first-pitch ball, with both Schneider and trainer Jose Ministral visiting the mound.

Garcia was replaced by Nate Pearson.

Garcia entered the game in the ninth inning with the Blue Jays leading 7-4 and proceeded to force a flyball to get the first out.

The right-hander ran into some trouble afterwards, giving up a single to Daniel Schneemann and then a two-run homer to Brayan Rocchio.

Garcia would get the second out before a pair of Guardians singles put a runner on first and third base to threaten the Blue Jays’ one-run lead.

Gimenez came up to the plate and Garcia exited soon after. Pearson recorded the final out and the Blue Jays escaped with a 7-6 win.

The Blue Jays are dealing with a bevy of injuries to their pitchers, with usual closer Jordan Romano on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. Starter Alek Manoah was also shut down for the season after undergoing UCL surgery.

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