Toronto Blue Jays Roster
- AL East
- Stadium
- Rogers Centre
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi had a very strong outing on Friday night but picked up the loss as the Blue Jays fell to the Minnesota Twins 3-2. Kikuchi threw eight innings and gave up just two earned runs while striking out three. Kikuchi has been the Blue Jays' best pitcher this season, now having a 2.64 ERA. Kikuchi has shown significant improvement year-over-year by slightly reducing his BB% and has greatly reduced his HR/9 rate also. Fantasy managers should snag Kikuchi off the waiver wire if available. The lefty will look to continue his dominant season next Wednesday in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto (ankle) continues to ramp up his baseball activity and is said to be making good progress with hitting, fielding and throwing. His next steps will be live at-bats and then to play in minor-league rehab games. Votto made it clear that he wants to be 100 percent healthy before he returns. It sounds like it won't be until June when we might see the 40-year-old Canadian back in the big leagues with Toronto. When Votto is finally ready to return, he'll be a designated hitter option, at best, against right-handed pitching for the Blue Jays. The six-time All-Star has been hampered by injuries in recent years as he ages and is probably in the final season of his career. In 65 games in his final campaign with the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, Votto hit just .202 (42-for-208), but he did have 14 home runs and 38 RBI.
Toronto Blue Jays rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (back) is playing catch up to 90 feet as he rehabs from thoracic spine inflammation that caused him to land on the 15-day injured list on April 30. Rodriguez will continue to ramp up his arm as he recovers from his back injury, but he almost certainly won't be coming off the injured list when he's eligible on May 14. The 27-year-old Cuban made his first four big-league starts with Toronto before getting hurt, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 19 hits (two home runs) while walking eight and striking out 16 for a 4.11 ERA (4.53 FIP) and 1.76 WHIP. Rodriguez is much more intriguing in the long term in fantasy than in 2024 as the Blue Jays look to ease him into a starter's workload. Expect them to play it safe with Rodriguez when he returns from his back injury.
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Chad Green (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Friday, which was his first time throwing off a mound since he was placed on the injured list back on April 20 with a right-shoulder strain. As long as the 32-year-old veteran doesn't encounter any setbacks along the way, he should certainly be back in Toronto's bullpen by the end of the month. The former 11th-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2013 out of Louisville isn't as attractive in fantasy now that regular closer Jordan Romano is back and healthy, but Green still plays a key role as a late-inning setup man and can carry fantasy value in holds leagues when he's active. Before his injury, he was 1-0 with two saves, a 2.35 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 relief innings.
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (back) is available to pitch out of the bullpen for Friday's game against the visiting Minnesota Twins, according to manager John Schneider. Because of a back injury, Garcia has not appeared in a game for the Blue Jays since April 28, but he should get into a game at some point this weekend. The 33-year-old isn't as attractive in fantasy now that regular closer Jordan Romano is back in the fold at the back end of the bullpen, but Garcia has still been excellent this year. He's currently sporting a microscopic 0.68 ERA and 0.53 WHIP with only three walks and 16 strikeouts in 13 1/3 relief innings pitched. Garcia has also recorded two saves, both those both came early in the year when Romano was hurt.