As reliever begins his rehab assignment, Blue Jays close in on the bullpen they envisioned

* All stats are before the Blue Jays May 6 game

The Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen has been a major disappointment this season. The team decided not to make many additions this offseason, and we're seeing the fallout. Tyler Rogers was the only big-name free agent addition made, and Spencer Miles was selected in the Rule 5 draft. Rogers has been elite, posting a 1.62 ERA over 16.2 innings, and Miles has held his own in his rookie campaign, with a 3.50 ERA over 18 innings.

A popular question during the offseason was whether the team should replace Jeff Hoffman as its closer. The Blue Jays chose to stick with Hoffman, but that decision has backfired. He has a 5.74 ERA in 15.2 innings and has blown three of six save opportunities. The 33-year-old has already been replaced as the closer with Louis Varland, who has thrived, posting a 0.51 ERA in 17.2 innings and has converted all four of his save opportunities.

The Blue Jays' bullpen currently ranks 18th in MLB for ERA (4.28), but that is heavily skewed by Brendon Little's 24.55 ERA, who is now in Triple-A, and Josh Fleming's 12.00 ERA, who was designated for assignment. However, even though the ERA is below average, the bullpen leads the league in strikeouts (171).

The Blue Jays bullpen needs a boost and Yimi García could be the answer

With all the struggles in the bullpen, there is one elite arm that has been missing. Yimi García has missed the start of the season due to offseason surgery to clean up scar tissue in his elbow. When healthy, the righty has been a reliable arm. Over his 11 MLB seasons, García has averaged a 3.61 ERA and has a 14.4 percent strikeout-to-walk rate.

The reliever's last two seasons have been cut short due to injuries. In 2024, he suffered a right elbow injury that landed him on the 15-day injured list two different times. Last season, there were multiple injuries that derailed his season, including an ankle sprain, shoulder impingement, and the elbow injury that required the offseason surgery.

García looks to finally be healthy this season and is slated to start a rehab stint this week. His return comes at a great time. Mason Fluharty (6.57 ERA) and Tommy Nance (4.41 ERA) have also been struggling for the Blue Jays. The team needs more consistency in the bullpen, especially in the middle innings, where García will be utilized. Rogers and Varland currently have the eighth and ninth innings locked down.

García will be welcomed with open arms when he's ready to return. He will likely take Fluharty's spot because the lefty can be optioned back down to Triple-A. That would leave Joe Mantiply as the only left-hander remaining in the bullpen, but he's been successful with a 2.63 ERA over his 13.2 innings to start the season. Once the starting rotation gets healthy, Eric Lauer will rejoin the bullpen as another left-handed option.

When García makes his season debut, the Blue Jays will be hoping that he can stay healthy. The pitching staff has been decimated by injuries and desperately needs some stability. Hopefully, that's what the right-hander can bring to the team.

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