The Toronto Blue Jays have announced that relief pitcher Yimi Garcia will be shut down for the remainder of the season due to a right hand injury.
Garcia, who was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade with the Miami Marlins in July, has been dealing with discomfort in his hand for the past few weeks. After consulting with team doctors, it was determined that the best course of action for his recovery would be to shut him down for the rest of the season.
The 30-year-old right-hander has been a key part of the Blue Jays’ bullpen this season, appearing in 15 games and posting a 3.86 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched. His absence will be felt as the Blue Jays continue their push for a playoff spot in the highly competitive American League East division.
In a statement released by the team, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo expressed his disappointment in losing Garcia for the rest of the season, but also emphasized the importance of prioritizing his health and recovery.
“We are obviously disappointed to lose Yimi for the remainder of the season, but the health and well-being of our players is always our top priority,” said Montoyo. “We will continue to monitor his progress and look forward to having him back at full strength for next season.”
Garcia’s injury adds to the growing list of injuries for the Blue Jays this season, with key players such as George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez, and Cavan Biggio all spending time on the injured list.
The Blue Jays currently sit in fourth place in the AL East with a record of 68-61, just 3.5 games back from a wild card spot. With just over a month left in the regular season, the team will have to rely on their depth and resilience to overcome the loss of Garcia and continue their push for a playoff berth.
As for Garcia, he will now shift his focus to rehab and recovery in preparation for the 2022 season. The Blue Jays will surely be counting on his contributions once again as they look to make a deeper run in the playoffs next year.
