Injuries & Moves: Vlad Jr. (knee) day to day
LATEST NEWS
May 17: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (right knee discomfort) day to day
The Blue Jays can exhale as an MRI showed no structural damage to Guerrero's right knee after he left early in Tuesday's 6-3 loss against the Yankees. He injured himself while fielding a Gleyber Torres bunt that was popped up on the infield. Guerrero came down awkwardly and he was seen limping soon after.
Guerrero was out of the lineup for Wednesday's night game against the Yanks and it's possible he needs another day or two as the Blue Jays continue to evaluate him, but it appears he will avoid an IL stint. Both Brandon Belt and Cavan Biggio can fill in at first base in the meantime, and if Toronto needs to dip into its depth at the position, No. 18 prospect Spencer Horwitz is off to an excellent start in Triple-A, batting .317 with a .443 on-base percentage.
May 16: RHP Thomas Hatch recalled; RHP Jay Jackson optioned to Triple-A Buffalo
Hatch, who went 3-2 with a 4.91 ERA with Buffalo, was called up for the first time this season. In parts of three seasons with Toronto, Hatch has a 3-3 record with a 5.58 ERA.
Jackson has only appeared in three games this year, allowing one run in three innings while striking out two.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Mitch White (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: Potentially May
White made his fourth rehab start on May 12, allowing four runs over three innings with Triple-A Buffalo, while throwing the same number of pitches (67) as his last outing. It's possible he makes another appearance in Triple-A before the Blue Jays need to make a decision on his status. (Last updated: May 13)
RHP Adam Cimber (right rhomboid strain)
Expected return: Mid-May
Cimber threw two-thirds of an inning for Single-A Dunedin on May 11, using 17 pitches in the first appearance of his rehab assignment. The Blue Jays should have his next outing planned in the coming days, but Cimber does not seem far away at this point. He last pitched for the Blue Jays on April 23. (Last updated: May 12)
RHP Zach Pop (right hamstring)
Expected return: TBD
Pop exited a game at Fenway Park on May 4 with the help from a trainer and was placed on the IL the next day. His ERA had grown to 6.59 after an impressive start to the season. After resting his hamstring for a few days, Pop played catch on May 9 as he started to ease his way back into action. (Last updated: May 9)
60-day IL
LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Possibly July
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2022, Ryu has progressed to throwing off a mound at the club's complex in Dunedin, Fla. Speaking in late March, Ryu said he was targeting a July return. For now, the Blue Jays hope to have him face live hitters at some point in June, with the potential of returning to game action at some point later that month. (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Chad Green (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Second half of season
Green is working his way back from Tommy John surgery in May 2022, and like Ryu, he is throwing off a mound at the Blue Jays' complex. Being a reliever, Green could have a shorter path than Ryu once he's throwing, as he won't need to stretch out fully. Still, there will still be the matter of regaining his velocity, feel and movement. Green is expected to face hitters at some point in June, if all goes well. (Last updated: May 15)