It may take a bit longer than expected for one of Toronto’s top bullpen arms to return.
Blue Jays reliever Yimi García received a cortisone shot in his shoulder and will have to take a couple of days off from throwing before the team figures out the next steps, manager John Schneider told reporters on Monday.
García was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with a right shoulder impingement. According to Schneider, the issue had developed slowly over the last few weeks.
With the Blue Jays in the middle of a six-game road trip, García flew back to Toronto to see a doctor before the team determined an official timeline.
García has posted a 3.15 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 20 innings for Toronto this season. After returning to the organization this past off-season following last summer’s trade to the Seattle Mariners, the six-foot-one righty picked up right where he left off as a leverage option for the Blue Jays.
After allowing seven runs in back-to-back outings in early May, García has since delivered five straight scoreless appearances.
He last pitched on Thursday against the San Diego Padres.
Fellow bullpen arms Erik Swanson (forearm), Nick Sandlin (lat) and Ryan Burr (shoulder) are also sidelined on the injured list, along with starters Max Scherzer (thumb) and Alek Manoah (elbow).
The Blue Jays are set to take on the Texas Rangers for the opening showdown of their three-game series Monday at 4:05 p.m. ET / 1:05 p.m. PT. Catch the action on Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+.