Blue Jays’ Yimi Garcia has MRI that reveals no structural damage
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia had an MRI Sunday that revealed no structural damage after leaving his appearance in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians with right elbow soreness.
The MRI did reveal some ulna nerve symptoms.
According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, manager John Schneider called the result, “great news.” The Blue Jays are still considering what comes next for Garcia and have not ruled out a stint on the injured list.
Facing Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez with two outs in the ninth inning, Garcia was pulled from the game after a first-pitch ball, with both Schneider and trainer Jose Ministral visiting the mound and eventually removing the current Blue Jays closer from the game.
The 33-year-old allowed four hits and two earned while getting two outs before the injury forced him to exit.
Garcia 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 currently on the 15-day injured list and Erik Swanson has been demoted to triple-A Buffalo.
Left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert has joined the Blue Jays and is on the taxi squad.
Eisert, 26, has a 6.35 ERA through 19 appearances with triple-A Buffalo this season. He has struck out 35 hitters in 22.2 innings but has also issued 14 walks.
Right-hander Yariel Rodriguez is also back with the team in Toronto and is expected to be activated later this week. He had made six rehab appearances after going on the injured list with thoracic spine inflammation. In those outings, the 27-year-old allowed just three earned runs in 14 innings, racking up 23 strikeouts in the process.
Davidi said he is a candidate to start this weekend’s series in Cleveland.
Romano, who is out with elbow inflammation, long tossed from 90 to 120 feet Monday and could return to a mound as soon as Wednesday.
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