The Blue Jays will reinstate right-hander Lazaro Estrada from the 60-day injured list, reports Francys Romero. Toronto has a couple openings on the 40-man roster after recently designating Yariel Rodríguez and Connor Seabold for assignment.
Estrada also has a couple options remaining, so the Jays wouldn’t need any corresponding moves if they simply keep him in Triple-A on an optional assignment. Brendon Little, who allowed four runs today in his first MLB appearance in two months, seems the likeliest candidate to go back to the minors if the Jays want to carry Estrada on the MLB roster.
In either case, Estrada is back to health after missing two and a half months with a shoulder impingement. The 27-year-old righty made a four-inning appearance as part of a bullpen game on April 4. That’s his only MLB work this season and the third appearance of his career. Estrada has worked 2-3 inning stints on his rehab assignment but worked as a starter in Triple-A last season.
Estrada is one of five rotation options on Toronto’s 60-day injured list. José Berríos, Cody Ponce and Bowden Francis aren’t coming back this season. The other, Shane Bieber, could make his return next week. Barring any intervening moves, that would bring the 40-man roster back to capacity. Bieber has gotten to five innings in each of his last two rehab starts and threw 80 pitches on Wednesday.
Kevin Gausman was blitzed for seven runs over two innings in today’s series opener at Wrigley Field. Patrick Corbin and Dylan Cease will take the ball for the final two games against the Cubs. The Jays don’t have anyone lined up for Monday’s series opener against the Astros, for which Bieber would be on regular rest. They could opt for any of Estrada (if he’s activated onto the MLB roster), Spencer Miles or Simeon Woods Richardson to log the majority of a bullpen game if they want to give Bieber a little more time. Trey Yesavage would be on schedule for Tuesday if they don’t make any changes to the order.
