Injuries & Moves: Kiner-Falefa (knee) to begin rehab on Saturday
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July 26: INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (left knee sprain) to start rehab assignment Saturday
Kiner-Falefa has ramped up his activity level in recent days and, as long as everything goes well through Friday, the Blue Jays expect him to join Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday. Kiner-Falefa has been out since July 1, so he'll likely need a few games to get his timing down. The Blue Jays have a plan to have him play third base, take a DH day and then get some shortstop reps. When Kiner-Falefa returns, he will split most of his time between shortstop and third base.
July 26: Blue Jays trade RHP Yimi García to Mariners for OF Jonatan Clase and C Jacob Sharp
In the first big move of what's expected to be a busy Trade Deadline for the Blue Jays, they dealt García to the Mariners for a package headlined by the 22-year-old Clase, Seattle's No. 10 prospect. Clase made his MLB debut with the Mariners this season and was one of the best athletes in their organization, coming off a season with 79 stolen bases and 20 home runs in the Minor Leagues a year ago. Clase's numbers in limited big league appearances haven't been great, but across 59 games in Triple-A Tacoma this season, he's hit .274 with 10 home runs and an .856 OPS.
The Blue Jays optioned Clase to Triple-A Buffalo when the trade was made official and Sharp has been assigned to High-A Vancouver. Clase could soon join the MLB club, though, especially if the Blue Jays find a trade partner for Kevin Kiermaier. More >>
July 24: LHP Ricky Tiedemann (left elbow, No. 1 on Blue Jays' Top 30 prospects list) getting second and third opinion on injury
Tiedemann will meet with both Dr. Keith Meister and Dr. Neal ElAttrache -- separately -- in the coming days to evaluate his throwing elbow. These will be the second and third medical opinions, and it's particularly unique for a player to visit both of these well-known doctors for the same issue. The Blue Jays should have more information by next week regarding Tiedemann's injury.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (left knee sprain)
Expected return: Early August
Kiner-Falefa felt something in his knee while stretching on July 1, and after he was a last-minute scratch for that day's game, an MRI showed a sprain. He's starting to ramp up baseball activities coming out of the All-Star break and is now expected to begin a Triple-A rehab assignment on July 27. Kiner-Falefa should only need a few games with the Bisons, and he could rejoin the Blue Jays in either Baltimore or New York on their upcoming road trip. (Last updated: July 26)
LHP Ricky Tiedemann (left elbow, No. 1 on Blue Jays' Top 30 prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
Tiedemann worked his way back from ulnar nerve inflammation in his left elbow, but in his first start back with Triple-A Buffalo, he left with what was described at the time as left forearm tightness. Now, he's getting a second and third opinion on his throwing elbow from Dr. Keith Meister and Dr. Neal ElAttrache. It's unique for a player to visit both doctors, but the Blue Jays and Tiedemann's camp clearly want to get to the bottom of what's ailing the gifted young left-hander.
In a perfect world, Tiedemann would be healthy and ready to get a taste of the big leagues down the stretch after the Blue Jays sell at the Trade Deadline, but injuries continue to get in the way for Toronto's top pitching prospect. For now, the Blue Jays can only hope that this is not a long-term issue. (Last updated: July 24)
SS Bo Bichette (right calf strain)
Expected return: Potentially mid-to-late August
Bichette injured his calf running out of the box on July 19 and pulled up in obvious pain. Bichette has already spent time on the IL this season with a right calf strain and tweaked it again on July 10 in San Francisco. This time, an MRI has revealed a "moderate" strain and Bichette will miss "multiple weeks", manager John Schneider said. A clearer picture of Bichette's timeline should present itself as the calendar turns to August. (Last updated: July 21)
RHP Jordan Romano (right elbow impingement, arthroscopic surgery)
Expected return: Potentially by end of 2024
Romano's elbow wasn't "bouncing back" as well as he'd hoped, and initial tests revealed inflammation. Romano tried to ramp back up twice, but his elbow was not cooperating and a visit to Dr. Keith Meister ended with Romano undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair an impingement in that elbow. Romano will now be shut down from throwing for at least six weeks, at which point the Blue Jays will evaluate the best path forward. For now, they are considering this a season-ending injury, but a return remains a real possibility. (Last updated: July 3)
RHP Alek Manoah (right UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Manoah underwent successful right UCL reconstructive surgery with an internal brace on June 17 and is expected to rejoin the Blue Jays in Toronto soon. Manoah left his start on May 29 after feeling a "pinchy" sensation in his right elbow. He was "guarding" his elbow earlier in that start, but the discomfort arose when he began to fully extend his elbow through pitches. (Last updated: June 18)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Brandon Barriera (Tommy John surgery, No. 4 on Blue Jays' Top 30 prospects list)
Expected return: 2025
Barriera's agent announced in late April that the 20-year-old lefty had undergone Tommy John surgery with an internal brace to repair a Grade 2 UCL tear and was placed on the Minor League season-ending injured list. The Blue Jays' No. 4 prospect will miss the rest of the 2024 season and likely part of the 2025 season, though that timeline should be clearer early next year.
This is another difficult setback for the Blue Jays' first-round pick from 2022. Barriera was shut down after the Draft that year, dealt with injuries in 2023 and is now done for '24, leaving him with just 21 2/3 pro innings under his belt. Barriera had impressed in camp and was touching 97 mph regularly, but for now, he'll focus on the rehab process and attempt to come back strong in his age-21 season. (Last updated: May 17)