The Toronto Blue Jays are in first place, but they still need help.
Blue Jays Predicted to Make Trade After Injury News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Blue Jays have experienced limited playoff success in recent years, but their current squad is equipped to change that. They're 1.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for the top record in the AL, and they tied their franchise record with 10 straight home wins after Sunday's 8-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
Toronto is three games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East, who they'll host Monday-Wednesday. The Blue Jays swept the Yankees in four games at the Rogers Centre from June 30 to July 3, and are up 5-2 in the season series.
However, despite its success, Toronto still needs pitching help. Reliever Yimi Garcia (0-1, 3.86 ERA), who hasn't pitched since July 2, is now dealing with a nerve issue in his right elbow in addition to the ankle injury that originally sidelined him. This is the same ailment that the veteran dealt with a year ago before the Blue Jays sent him to the Seattle Mariners at the Trade Deadline, via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
Meanwhile, former All-MLB First Teamer Alek Manoah is still rehabbing his UCL injury from last year and is scheduled to return by the end of this season. However, Matheson explained that Toronto may be inclined to trade for more pitchers rather than depending on Garcia and/or Manoah.
"This won’t be new ground for the Blue Jays. In 2023, Ross Atkins aimed high by acquiring then-reliever Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals, a move that worked well down the stretch," he wrote. "This front office has targeted relievers with control remaining in the past, too, which is always attractive for an organization with money to spend today and tomorrow."
"García could still pitch big innings -- and soon -- but this is just another reason for the Blue Jays to move aggressively and decisively over the next two weeks," he continued.
From yesterday's #BlueJays Newsletter:
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) July 21, 2025
A look at how the Yimi García injury is another reason to go all-in on the bullpen, especially in a market that could be thin on true top-end starters:https://t.co/RZfHZzF6l4
Right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman (6-7, 4.19 ERA) will start for Toronto against New York southpaw Carlos Rodon (10-6, 3.08 ERA) on Monday. Both teams are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
After this series, the Blue Jays will travel to face the Tigers and Baltimore Orioles before hosting the Kansas City Royals.
Related: Blue Jays React to MLB’s George Springer Announcement
Related: Blue Jays Make Unfortunate Injury Announcement After Angels Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
