Injuries & Moves: Bichette back on IL; McCoy selected
LATEST NEWS
Aug. 29: SS Bo Bichette placed on 10-day IL; INF Mason McCoy selected
Bichette, who was removed prior to the sixth inning of Toronto's game on Sunday against Cleveland, was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, with a right quad strain. Bichette was previously on the IL with a knee injury (right patellar tendinitis) in July, which prompted the club to trade for infielder Paul DeJong, who has since been designated for assignment.
McCoy was selected to the Major League roster for the first time in his career and will be active for Tuesday's game.
Aug. 28: 3B Matt Chapman placed on IL; INF Ernie Clement recalled from Triple-A Buffalo
Chapman, who had been dealing with a jammed finger for the past couple of weeks after putting a weight back on the rack, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right middle finger sprain. Manager John Schneider said following Sunday's game that Chapman aggravated the injury during a long at-bat in the fourth inning.
To take Chapman's place on the roster, Clement was recalled. He's certainly earned it by hitting .339 with 11 home runs and a .927 OPS over 69 games in Triple-A this season, and he is expected to see some playing time across the Blue Jays' infield while Chapman is out.
Aug. 27: RHP Erik Swanson (thoracic spine inflammation) placed on 15-day IL; RHP Jay Jackson recalled
Swanson left Saturday's 8-3 win over the Guardians with a trainer and was placed on the IL prior to Sunday's finale. It's a major loss for the Blue Jays, who have leaned on Swanson very heavily this season in high-leverage situations. His absence will put a greater emphasis on Yimi Garcia, who has turned his season around, along with Tim Mayza, Jordan Hicks and closer Jordan Romano.
Jackson was the easy countermove here, given his 1.64 ERA over 22 innings this season for the Blue Jays. He'll slide right back into a middle relief role.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
SS Bo Bichette (right quad strain)
Expected return: Potentially mid-September
Bichette returned for just eight games after spending three weeks on the IL with right patellar tendinitis. This new injury in the same area is one Bichette had been playing through for a few days, but it finally advanced to a point where the Blue Jays need to shut him down for a few days. If all goes well, Bichette will try to ramp back up in the minimum 10 days, but the club won't have a clearer timeline on his return until that initial ramp-up period begins. (Last updated: Aug. 29)
3B Matt Chapman (right middle finger sprain)
Expected return: Mid September
Chapman dealt with this issue earlier in August after he jammed his middle finger on a weight rack, but he played through the pain for a couple of weeks. It worsened during a long at-bat on Aug. 27, and Chapman went for an MRI before being diagnosed with a sprain. The Blue Jays should have a clearer feel for Chapman's progression in the coming days. (Last updated: Aug. 28)
RHP Erik Swanson (thoracic spine inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Swanson left an appearance on Aug. 26 against the Guardians and was placed on the IL the next morning. His timeline should become clearer in the coming days, but it's a difficult loss for the Blue Jays given that Swanson is one of their best relievers and used often. Swanson has already made 60 appearances this season, covering 58 innings. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
RHP Hagen Danner (left oblique strain)
Expected return: TBD
Danner left the Blue Jays' Aug. 11 game against the Cubs after recording the first out of his Major League career. He was placed on the IL the following day with a left oblique strain. There's no timetable for Danner's return, but the catcher-turned-pitcher will likely get another chance to contribute to the big league team once he's healthy again. (Last updated: Aug. 12)
60-day IL
RHP Chad Green (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Sept. 1
Green finally appears to be on the doorstep of his Blue Jays debut. He will pitch on Aug. 30 with Triple-A Buffalo, likely entering mid-inning. Green pitched on back-to-back days in the weekend of Aug 26-27, and he bounced back well. Barring any unexpected setbacks, the veteran right-hander is emerging as a sensible option as the Blue Jays' pitcher addition when rosters expand on Sept. 1. (Last updated: Aug. 28)
INF/OF Otto Lopez (left oblique strain)
Expected return: TBD
Lopez, the Blue Jays' No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was batting .251 with a .637 OPS, two homers and 31 RBIs at Triple-A Buffalo before landing on the 60-day IL on Aug. 1 with a left oblique strain. The 24-year-old hasn't appeared in any Major League games in 2023, but his positional versatility makes him a valuable, big league-ready depth option for the Blue Jays. (Last updated: Aug. 1)
RHP Adam Cimber (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: TBD
Cimber traveled to the Blue Jays' complex in Florida earlier in July, but he isn't throwing yet. The right-hander will need to build back up when he's cleared to throw, since he last pitched on June 18. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 19. (Last updated: July 19)