Blue Jays add some much-needed offensive prowess prior to Yankees series

Danny Jansen has long dealt with a checkered injury history. He's been on the receiving end of some freak occurrences and accidents that have taken him out of action for long periods of time. To kick off the 2024 campaign, he's been on the shelf with a broken bone in his wrist.

Jansen, 29 today, played four rehab games down in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons, hitting a home run with six RBI and a .308 batting average along the way. Pretty much as soon as his rehab assignment began, it was clear that he was ready to return to the big league roster.

On Monday, the Blue Jays took to social media (X link) to formally announce that Jansen has been activated from the injured list. Going back the other way is Brian Serven, who is on-hand as the organization's third-string catcher.

Blue Jays activate Danny Jansen from the injured list

It has long been said that in baseball, the best ability is availability. Unfortunately for Jansen, he's struggled with this. Since he debuted in 2018, the backstop has appeared in over 100 games exactly one time, when he made it into 107 contests in 2019.

When he's healthy, Jansen has been money for the Blue Jays. Since 2021, he's posted an .805 OPS and 120 OPS+ in 228 games, along with 43 home runs and 125 RBI. He's got a knack for hitting in clutch situations and is every bit the offensive catcher the Blue Jays thought Alejandro Kirk would become after his strong 2022 showing.

Keeping Jansen, a pending free agent, on the field is going to be of utmost importance to the Blue Jays moving forward. Kirk has been a virtual black hole in the starting lineup whenever he starts, so injecting some thump into the starting-nine could prove to be immensely helpful.

Serven, 28, made it into seven games and was 0-for-8 with a walk and a run scored prior to his demotion to Triple-A. He is expected to pair with Payton Henry behind the plate for the Bisons, who balances Serven's skillset nicely. Serven has long been known for his defensive abilities while Henry is much better at the plate than behind it.