Lazaro Estrada expected to return on Saturday

Estrada has allowed just five runs over 9 1/3 innings across four relief outings in the big leagues this season. He’ll be an up-and-down option for Toronto over the final two months.

Estrada returns to Toronto’s bullpen after spending a couple weeks back in the minors. The 27-year-old holds a 2.84 ERA across 6 1/3 innings over two appearances in the big leagues this season. He’ll operate in long relief for the Blue Jays.

Estrada gets the boot to make room for Shane Bieber (elbow) on the active roster. Estrada will likely be back as a potential multi-inning option at some point this summer.

As anticipated, Estrada will rejoin the Blue Jays’ bullpen on Saturday after being sidelined since April 5 due to a right shoulder impingement. He has made just one appearance with the team this season, hurling four scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Brendon Little was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move to clear a spot in the Jays’ bullpen.

It frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for INF Charles McAdoo. Estrada was placed on the injured list on April 18, retroactive to April 5, so his potential return timeline isn’t altered much by this. He’ll be eligible to come off the injured list in early June.

It’s a procedural move after Estrada was found to have injured his shoulder during his time in the big leagues earlier this month. The 26-year-old was placed on the injured list at Triple-A Buffalo earlier this week before being transferred to the major-league one. He tossed four scoreless innings in relief in his lone appearance for Toronto earlier this month. No word yet on how much time he’ll miss.

The 26-year-old hurler was recalled from Triple-A to make a spot start in place of Cody Ponce on Saturday, hurling four scoreless innings against the White Sox in a bulk role. While he performed well in the role, the Jays don’t seem to view him as a long-term replacement for Ponce, so he’ll return to the rotation at Triple-A until he’s needed once again.

Mason Fluharty was tasked with starting Saturday’s game against the White Sox as the opener. He gave up one run on a single, a double, and a sacrifice fly before getting out of the inning. Lazaro Estrada then took over in the second inning and held the White Sox scoreless over four frames. He did not allow a hit while issuing two walks and striking out three batters on eight whiffs. With the Blue Jays down a starting pitcher and Trey Yesavage not quite built up yet, Estrada could be in line for more bulk relief work if the team needs to go with a bullpen game in the next week.

Estrada will get the first shot at replacing an injured Cody Ponce (knee) in Toronto’s rotation, at least until Trey Yesavage (shoulder) is ready to make his season debut. The 26-year-old was jettisoned to the minors at the end of spring training and projects as more of a long relief option at the highest level. He made two relief appearances for the Blue Jays last season and posted a 5.73 ERA across 97 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level. He’s not a recommended streaming option for fantasy managers.

Seabold was signed to a non-roster deal, and he opted out of his minor league contract when he was informed he wouldn’t make the roster. Estrada will be a potential option for Toronto at some point in 2026 in relief.