Injuries & Moves: Manoah progressing after strong rehab start
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LATEST NEWS
April 30: RHP Yariel Rodríguez placed on 15-day IL (thoracic spine inflammation), RHP Zach Pop recalled from Triple-A Buffalo
Rodríguez felt some back soreness during his start against the Royals on Monday, particularly in the first inning, when he twisted and dropped on the mound trying to field a ground ball off the bat of Michael Massey. The soreness got more intense on Tuesday, causing Rodríguez to land on the IL before first pitch. Manager John Schneider said that this is "a little bit similar" to what Rodríguez dealt with during Spring Training. The 27-year-old didn't pitch until March 17 due to back spasms.
Pop was recalled in a corresponding move after posting a 1.86 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings at Triple-A Buffalo to start the season.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Alek Manoah (right shoulder soreness)
Expected return: Potentially early May
Manoah was excellent in his fifth rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on April 30, throwing six innings of one-run ball on just two hits and two walks while striking out 12. After the starter struggled in his first four outings, the most recent start was "very encouraging" manager John Schneider said.
The Blue Jays currently have an opening in the rotation after Yariel Rodríguez was placed on the IL with a back issue on April 30. While Manoah seems like an obvious replacement in the starting staff, the Blue Jays haven’t yet made a decision on who will fill the hole.
“There's multiple, multiple options,” Schneider said. "I think Alek is kind of the elephant in the room because of his performance last night and the fact that he's pitched really well here.” (Last updated: May 1)
RHP Yariel Rodríguez (thoracic spine inflammation)
Expected return: May 15
After having his Spring Training schedule delayed due to back spasms, Rodríguez landed on the 15-day injured list on April 30 with thoracic spine inflammation. Manager John Schneider said this is "a little bit similar" to Rodríguez's previous issue, but the club hopes this won't cost the 27-year-old right-hander as much time as it did during the spring. (Last updated: April 30)
RHP Chad Green (right teres major strain)
Expected return: TBD
Green resumed throwing on April 29 and felt "really good" after, according to manager John Schneider. The next step will be to get Green up to 90 or 100 feet with his throwing. The right-hander landed on the IL on April 20 (retroactive to April 17) with a right teres major strain. His return to throwing is good news, but the Blue Jays don't have a timeline for his return to a Major League mound. Schneider said things will remain "fluid" as Green returns to throwing. The 32-year-old was off to a strong start, with a 2.35 ERA over seven appearances as the Blue Jays’ setup man. (Last updated: April 30)
OF Kevin Kiermaier (left hip flexor inflammation)
Expected return: Potentially May 4-5
Kiermaier was scheduled to hit in the cage and run on the field on April 29, according to manager John Schneider. The club didn't have any immediate plans for a rehab assignment, but that remains a possibility ahead of his return, depending on how the 34-year-old Kiermaier -- who underwent hip surgery late in 2022 -- feels after returning to baseball activities. Kiermaier is eligible to be activated on May 4, the Blue Jays' second game of a weekend road set with the Nationals. (Last updated: April 29)
RHP Bowden Francis (right forearm extensor tendinitis)
Expected return: TBD
Francis was expected to resume throwing "in the next couple of days," manager John Schneider said on April 29. Francis looked sharp in his April 24 appearance for the Blue Jays, throwing two scoreless innings, but the club placed him on the IL the next day with this forearm issue. (Last updated: April 29)