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Toronto Blue Jays' High-Leverage Reliever's Immediate Future in Question
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- Toronto Blue Jays' High-Leverage Reliever's Immediate Future in Question
(Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays haven't been able to shake the injury bug the entire season, which has played a major role in derailing a series that had legitimate World Series aspirations.
One of the players bit by the injury bug was Addison Barger , who'll be out for the rest of the season after undergoing season-ending elbow surgery Monday.
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The injuries have also impacted the starting the rotation and the bullpen. Jose Berrios , who at one point was on a rehab assignment to return to the major league roster, is out for the entire season.
And now, it seems like high-leverage reliever Yimi Garcia will also be out the rest of the year, with his future timeline with the Blue Jays still up in the air.
According to a post on "X" from SportsNet reporter Shi Davidi, Garcia is still experiencing nerve and neck symptoms and is currently visiting a doctor to test for thoracic outlet syndrome.
If Garcia is dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome, his future status for Toronto could be very much in doubt, if not his entire career.
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The potential timeline for return from the ailment is variable, anywhere from 6-to-12 months, and can lead to serious symptoms. Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler dealt with the disease, which led to him having a blood clot in his throwing shoulder. A former No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz, also dealt with the injury, which plagued him his entire career and led to him missing significant time.
Garcia has spent the better part of four seasons with Toronto as a high-leverage reliever. He was traded from the Blue Jays to the Seattle Mariners in 2024, but was placed on the IL Aug. 23, 2024, due to right elbow inflammation, which kept him out the rest of the year.
The 35-year-old reliever became a free agent after 2024 and signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Blue Jays ahead of the 2025 season.
In 2025, which saw Toronto make it all the way to Game 7 of the World Series and win its first American League pennant since 1993, Garcia posted a 3.86 ERA and struck out 25 batters in 21 innings pitched across 22 appearances.
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Garcia hasn't pitched in the major leagues this season and underwent ulnar nerve and AC joint surgery. He made nine rehab outings before being shut down again.
Garcia is set to be a free agent after this season and due to his age, potential long rehab and his injury history, it could mark the end of his time the Blue Jays, which would likely mean the club would be in the market of a high-leverage reliever next offseason.
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