The Toronto Blue Jays’ 2025 season has taken another hit on the injury front. Veteran reliever Yimi GarcĂa will undergo surgery to clean up scar tissue in his throwing elbow.
This procedure officially ends GarcĂa’s campaign. It’s the second straight season in which elbow issues have derailed his performance.
Despite posting a respectable ERA in limited work, injuries have defined his year. The Jays have already made moves to bolster the bullpen in his absence.
Meanwhile, outfielder Anthony Santander is nearing a return that could shake up the team’s lineup card as the season winds down.
Yimi GarcĂa’s Season Ends with Elbow Surgery
The Blue Jays confirmed that GarcĂa will go under the knife to remove scar tissue built up in his pitching elbow. His 2025 season ends prematurely, but early word is he should be fully healthy for spring training 2026.
The club will move him to the 60-day injured list once they need a roster spot. For GarcĂa, it’s another frustrating chapter in a run of bad luck with arm health.
In 2024, he missed extended time while battling ulnar neuritis and inflammation. That injury history followed him after a midseason trade from Toronto to Seattle, then back to the injured list again to close the year.
Contract and Performance in 2025
Despite setbacks, GarcĂa returned to the Blue Jays on a two-year, $15 million contract last offseason. The hope was that when healthy, he could anchor key innings late in games.
His 2025 season was marred by a cocktail of ailments — a shoulder impingement, an ankle sprain, and recurring elbow irritation. He ended up pitching just 21 innings.
On the mound, GarcĂa managed a 3.86 ERA, showing glimpses of his effectiveness. His higher ground-ball rate helped offset declines in strikeout and walk efficiency.
Blue Jays Bolster Bullpen Depth
Toronto’s front office seemed to anticipate GarcĂa’s lengthy absence. At the trade deadline, they landed Seranthony DomĂnguez and Louis Varland to reinforce the relief corps for the season’s second half.
With GarcĂa on the shelf, both newcomers will take on larger roles in high-leverage situations. The club is pushing for playoff positioning and needs all the help it can get.
Anthony Santander Nears Return
While the bullpen loses a key veteran, the lineup could soon gain some power. Anthony Santander, the slugging outfielder who smashed 44 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, is progressing well from a shoulder subluxation.
He’s projected to begin a rehab assignment as early as next weekend. Santander, who inked a five-year contract with the Jays last offseason, hasn’t had an uninterrupted run this year.
Injuries have limited his contributions. Still, his potential return brings a significant offensive boost to a Toronto team in need of middle-order punch.
Impact on the Outfield Mix
Getting Santander back will force some shuffling in the Blue Jays’ depth chart. Possible ripple effects could involve playing time adjustments for:
- George Springer
- Nathan Lukes
- Addison Barger
- Davis Schneider
Once Santander is activated from the 60-day injured list, Toronto will need to make corresponding roster moves. Manager John Schneider will have to juggle production, defense, and matchups to try and maximize the lineup’s efficiency.
Final Thoughts
The Blue Jays’ season feels like a mixed bag right now. There’ve been setbacks, sure, but there’s still a sense of optimism hanging around.
Losing Yimi GarcĂa for the year stings the pitching staff. Still, Toronto’s made some proactive moves, and with Anthony Santander possibly returning soon, they’ve got reasons to keep fighting.
Now, as the team braces for the playoff race, health and depth will probably decide how the 2025 campaign turns out. It’s anyone’s guess if they’ll meet expectations, but that’s baseball, isn’t it?
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