Toronto Blue Jays fans have received a wave of positive news regarding several key pitchers currently on the injured list. Updates provided Monday indicate that the team is seeing encouraging progress from starters Jose Berrios and Shane Bieber, as well as reliever Yimi Garcia, with young pitcher Trey Yesavage appearing closest to a return to the active roster. The Blue Jays, currently enjoying a 3-0 start to the season, are cautiously optimistic about bolstering their pitching depth in the coming weeks.
Yesavage, who made a significant impact during the team’s postseason run last year, is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Friday, according to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. The right-hander is expected to throw approximately three innings and 45 pitches in the simulated contest. What we have is a crucial step in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement, an injury that kept him from breaking camp with the team.
The 22-year-old quickly became a valuable asset in the bullpen during the 2025 playoffs, posting a strong performance despite limited regular season experience. He was the second-most used pitcher for the Blue Jays in the postseason, behind only Kevin Gausman, appearing in six games (five starts) and working 27 and two-thirds innings. Yesavage even made an appearance in the final game of the World Series, ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 11 innings.
Beyond Yesavage, the Blue Jays are charting a course for the return of Berrios, Garcia, and Bieber. Berrios, recovering from a stress fracture in his right elbow sustained during Spring Training, and Garcia, continuing his recovery from elbow surgery performed in September 2025, are both slated to throw bullpen sessions on Tuesday. Both pitchers are then scheduled for a live batting practice session on Saturday. Bieber, who entered camp with arm fatigue, is expected to throw off a mound for the first time this Saturday.
The injuries to these pitchers presented a challenge for the Blue Jays at the start of the season. Berrios’s stress fracture was discovered after he was denied insurance to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, a separate issue from what sidelined him at the end of the 2025 season. Garcia underwent surgery to address his elbow issue last fall, and Bieber’s fatigue prompted an MRI during the offseason, which revealed no structural damage but indicated forearm fatigue, according to manager John Schneider.
Despite the absence of these key arms, the Blue Jays pitching staff has performed exceptionally well to begin the season. The team set a major-league record over their opening series sweep of the Oakland Athletics, recording an astounding 50 strikeouts in just three games. Starters Kevin Gausman (11 strikeouts), Dylan Cease (12 strikeouts), and Eric Lauer (9 strikeouts) led the charge, helping the Blue Jays to a perfect start.
The team’s ability to navigate these early-season injuries speaks to the depth of their pitching staff. Monday night saw Cody Ponce make his Blue Jays debut against the Colorado Rockies, even as veteran Max Scherzer is scheduled to take the mound in the second game of the series on Tuesday.
The progress of Berrios, Garcia, and Bieber will be closely monitored as the season unfolds. Their eventual return to the rotation will provide a significant boost to the Blue Jays’ championship aspirations. For now, the team is focused on continuing their winning ways and building on the strong foundation laid by their current pitching staff.
The Blue Jays’ success isn’t solely reliant on returning players. The current rotation, bolstered by Gausman, Cease, and Lauer, has demonstrated its ability to dominate opposing lineups. The team’s commitment to developing young talent, as evidenced by Yesavage’s rapid ascent, similarly bodes well for the future.
Fans can follow the Blue Jays’ progress and receive further injury updates through the team’s official website and social media channels. The next scheduled update regarding the injured pitchers is expected following Saturday’s workouts, when Bieber is slated to throw off a mound and Berrios and Garcia participate in their live batting practice session.
