Green, Francis, Rodriguez to make appearances for Blue Jays' triple-A affiliate

TORONTO — Three of the Blue Jays' relief pitchers have scheduled appearances with Toronto's triple-A affiliate as they recover from injuries.

Chad Green and Bowden Francis will pitch for the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday. Yariel Rodriguez will take the mound for Buffalo on Tuesday.

Toronto manager John Schneider said that for all three relievers, their appearances would be to gauge how they're feeling in their recovery.

"I think not really result-oriented for any of them," said Schneider on Friday. "Just see where their stuff is and how they're feeling afterwards."

Green has been nursing a right shoulder strain and was put on the 15-day injured list April 20. Francis was moved to the 15-day IL on April 25 with right forearm tendinitis.

The 27-year-old Rodriguez, who is in his first Major League Baseball season after playing professionally in his native Cuba as well as Japan, was put on the 15-day IL with thoracic spine inflammation April 30.

Green (1-0) has a 2.35 earned-run average over 7 2/3 innings pitched, striking out seven.

Francis (2-2) has an 8.59 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 14 2/3 innings. He's often been used as a long reliever after Rodriguez's shorter starts.

The rookie Cuban pitcher has a 0-1 record with a 4.11 ERA over 15 1/3 innings, striking out 16.

Alek Manoah (0-1) appears to have claimed the fifth spot in the Blue Jays' rotation after a solid seven-inning performance in Toronto's 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on May 12. With that starting spot no longer available, Schneider said Rodriguez will likely be in the bullpen when he returns from the IL.

"I think it would make sense and then just based on who else we have he'll probably start like mid-leverage," said Schneider, referring to game situations where the score isn't completely lopsided. "You still want to monitor his innings a little bit."

Veteran first baseman Joey Votto, who is from Toronto and signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays on March 8, has been taking live batting practice and running the bases in Florida.

Schneider expects Votto will start his season in the Florida Complex League, a rookie-level circuit.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17, 2024.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press