The positivity from the Blue Jays’ productive offseason has spilled into their Grapefruit League play. The rotation looks better than advertised and the lineup is dangerous. Their top prospects seem ready to make an impact soon.
However, all that enthusiasm and momentum came to a screeching halt this week with a surge of injuries.
Kirby Yates signed with the Jays to add to their bullpen despite his fair share of injury history. That history repeated itself early in the week.
Kirby Yates To Miss “Multiple Weeks” With Flexor Strain https://t.co/2ssLDq2wyD pic.twitter.com/jJ3qSDDdqN
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) March 22, 2021
There was also an update on Thomas Hatch, who has mild right elbow inflammation. After suffering a groin strain, Nate Pearson also appears to be on the mend.
From the good news dept., Nate Pearson (groin strain) resumed throwing & is expected to get off mound in a bullpen “within days,” per Ross Atkins.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 23, 2021
Blue Jays are “really encouraged” with Thomas Hatch (elbow inflammation); confident he is “not going to be missing significant time”
Turns out that Yates will require Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2021 season.
Blue Jays pitcher Kirby Yates is officially done for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.https://t.co/KMQseDTXf7
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 25, 2021
To make matters worse, news broke that George Springer would miss “a few days” with an oblique strain.
Robbie Ray, who has been dealing lately, will miss his next start with an elbow bruise. He apparently sustained the injury on a slip and fall on the stairs. The team remains hopeful he can make his first start of the regular season.
What It Means for the Bullpen
Fortunately, the only player who will miss significant time is Yates. There were already questions about his ability to stay healthy coming into this season.
Both the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves reportedly had concerns about Kirby Yates’ elbow, stemming from findings during his physicals.https://t.co/6Qy3cHCjs5
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 24, 2021
With Yates out, Jordan Romano will likely get the first crack at the closer job. Manager Charlie Montoyo could also opt to go to a closer by committee approach. Rafael Dolis and possibly David Phelps could also get the ball in high-leverage situations.
Hoping for a quick recovery for Kirby Yates. In the meantime, our 9th innings will look like this… #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/FnpnaNcQlA
— Scott BlueJaysAlways (@BluejaysAlways) March 22, 2021
It also opens up another roster spot for a reliever who otherwise may not have made the team. The most likely candidate is Trent Thornton, who looked sharp in his first spring start on Wednesday. Anthony Castro has been doing all he can to make it a tough decision.
Another clean inning for Anthony Castro today — the 25-year-old RHP has 13 K’s over 7.1 IP this spring, featuring a high-spin (2,500 RPM), 94-mph fastball.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 24, 2021
Unlikely Castro cracks Blue Jays opening day roster, but he’s put himself firmly in the mix for an in-season call-up. pic.twitter.com/gtVX9UxGyq
What It Means for the Roster
Springer is eager to return to the lineup as soon as possible. If he’s unable to recover in time, Randal Grichuk will replace him in center field. Jonathan Davis would then slide onto the roster as a fourth outfielder.
Ray’s injury is disheartening both for how well he had been pitching and for its randomness.
Robbie Ray – slipped and fell going down the stairs carrying his child, buried his left elbow. The child is fine. He’ll throw a bullpen in a couple of days to see how he feels. #bluejays
— Ben Wagner (@benwag247) March 23, 2021
Ray has pitched to a 1.98 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 13.2 innings. He definitely earns big-time “dad points” for catching his child, though.
Cavan Biggio was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday with a pinky finger injury. He’s not expected to miss much time and is considered day-to-day.
Cavan Biggio day to day after jamming his right pinkie finger per #BlueJays‘ Charlie Montoyo. There’s no fracture. Sore, “but he’s fine,” Montoyo said.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) March 24, 2021
The past few months have been positive enough that a few minor injuries (and one major one) aren’t going to put out the fire. The bullpen will move on without Yates. Springer will serve as the catalyst at the top of the lineup. This slight setback does nothing to prevent Ray from being a solid number two starter. And if the last part of that sentence is correct – he’ll also be a bargain at $7 million.
