J.A. Happ to Rejoin Blue Jays On Wednesday

May 2, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher J.A. Happ (48) delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

As reported by Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, rehabbing starter J.A. Happ is scheduled to return to the Blue Jays rotation on Wednesday, when Toronto wraps up a three-game set with the Seattle Mariners.

The 30-year-old left-hander made his last appearance for the Blue Jays on May 7th, but exited the game after just 1.1 innings when a Desmond Jennings line-drive hit Happ on the side of his head. He made a full recovery from the head injury relatively quickly, but also suffered a strained knee, injured while trying to avoid the line drive. That injury was a little slower to heal.

Still, Happ appears to be ready. His next scheduled start in the minors lines up perfectly with the Wednesday start in Seattle. That slot in the rotation was opened up when Toronto optioned Todd Redmond to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday night.

The Blue Jays will have to make a couple of moves to recall Happ. One of Brad Lincoln or Neil Wagner are likely to be optioned back to Buffalo in order to create the 25-man roster spot needed. However, the Blue Jays will also need to open up a 40-man roster slot for Happ, as he’s been on the 60-day disabled list.

Pure speculation here, but that spot will likely be created by designating Michael Schwimer for assignment. The 27-year-old has made just 6 appearances for Buffalo, and is sitting on a 10.5 BB/9 ratio.

Happ’s return to the rotation should help settle the fifth spot in the rotation a bit, especially after the flurry of arms that have held down the role in his absence. Still, he is hardly a sure thing right now. His knee is still sore and requires a brace, and he has struggled in his last few starts at Buffalo, posting a 6.75 ERA over 3 starts (13.1 IP) for the Bisons.

Happ will resume a season that saw him post a 2-2 record, a 4.91 ERA, and a 7.1 K/9 ratio.