Brett Cecil returns, Blue Jays option Ryan Tepera

The Toronto Blue Jays have activated left-handed reliever Brett Cecil from the 15-day disabled list ahead of their four-game series against the Cleveland Indians beginning tonight at the Rogers Centre. 


Cecil is expected to step back into his late-inning role given the struggling bullpen and a recent injury to Gavin Floyd. In 10.1 innings before his injury, Cecil posted a 5.23 ERA with five losses in his 16 appearances.

A healthy Cecil represents one of the league’s better left-handed options, and one who can face high-leverage situations against hitters from either side of the plate. In his past three seasons Cecil has struck out 11.5 batters per nine innings, but with below-average velocity and control through his early struggles, that number dipped to 7.8 in 2016’s small sample size.

Across four rehab innings in Dunedin and Buffalo, Cecil allowed one run and struck out four.

Ryan Tepera has been sent the other way by the Blue Jays and appears to be the likely candidate for several more trips back and forth this season. Tepera made just one MLB appearance this time around, striking out two in an inning and a third against Colorado.

Prior to his most recent promotion, Tepera had entrenched himself as the Bisons’ closer while picking up a save in six consecutive appearances.