Blue Jays hopeful this returning reliever can give their bullpen a big boost

Toronto Blue Jays pitchers and catchers have officially reported to spring camp, and the team has shared some good news about one of the most important relievers on the roster: Yimi García is close to returning to game action.

Garcia, 35, has been a fixture in Toronto since 2022, though he did leave for half a season when he was traded at the 2024 trade deadline to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Jonatan Clase and Jacob Sharp. He returned in free agency last offseason, and though his results were strong, health issues plagued his entire campaign.

The veteran right-hander managed to complete just 21 innings last season — and only eight total after April — as he dealt with various ailments, including ankle and shoulder troubles. It was a scar tissue surgery on his elbow that knocked him out for the end of the regular season and playoffs, but it appears that he's close to a return to full health.

Yimi García is crucial piece of Blue Jays' 2026 bullpen plans

For all the improvements the Blue Jays have made this offseason, their bullpen has mostly gone untouched. Tyler Rogers was a shrewd addition to the late-inning crew, but he's more or less a one-for-one replacement for Seranthony Dominguez, who signed with the Chicago White Sox in free agency.

It'll be up to Garcia to help Rogers and others bridge the gap from the team's elite starting rotation to closer Jeff Hoffman. If he's healthy, he should be more than up to the task. Since joining the Blue Jays prior to the 2022 season, Garcia has compiled a 3.49 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 27.3% strikeout rate, and 40.2% ground-ball rate. His usually spot-on command betrayed him as he fought through injuries last year, but even a problematic 13.3% walk rate couldn't stop him from posting a 3.86 ERA.

His six-pitch arsenal is as deep as any reliever's in baseball, which is why he's so effective at generating whiffs and strikeouts. His fastball velocity has gotten better with age, topping out at 96.3 mph in 2024. The deeper you dig, the more impressive Garcia's numbers get, including some of the best contact quality metrics for any pitcher in the sport.

Add it all up, and you have someone who should be the backup closer if something goes wrong with Hoffman. Garcia has racked up 29 saves saves in his career, including 12 with the Blue Jays. Hopefully, this latest update portends nothing but healthy days ahead for the 35-year-old. Toronto could certainly use his talents at the end of games this season.