Addison

Barger

Blue Jays’ skipper John Schneider noted on Friday that the Jays don’t expect Barger to be out for much longer than the minimum stint on the injured list due to inflammation in his elbow. It sounds like it’s possible he may not even require a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the Blue Jays’ lineup.

It’s the best possible outcome that Barger isn’t dealing with any ligament damage after hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation. He’ll receive an anti-inflammatory cortisone injection to address a joint issue and be shut down for a couple days. The 26-year-old corner outfielder is likely facing a multi-week absence, but it doesn’t sound like surgery is on the table. There should be a definitive return timeline once he’s cleared to ramp up baseball activities again.

Barger came off the injured list for one game after missing multiple weeks with ankle injuries. In that one game, he uncorked a 101 mph throw from right field, but then spoke to the media after the game with a huge ice wrap on his elbow. He’s now on the injured list with inflammation, and there is no timeline for his return.

Barger made a terrific 101-mph throw from right to nail Jorge Soler at the plate in Saturday’s game, but it looks like he might pay a price for it. Yohendrick Piñango figures to be recalled to share time with Myles Straw if Barger returns to the IL.

No word yet on the severity of the injury or how long he may be shelved for. Barger just returned from the injured list on Saturday after missing more than a month’s worth of action due to an ankle sprain. Myles Straw will take his place in the Jays’ lineup and will bat eighth against Angels’ right-hander Jose Soriano.

Barger is hitting second on Saturday against the Angels in his return to Toronto’s lineup after missing nearly five weeks recovering from a left ankle sprain. The 26-year-old power-hitter was one of last year’s biggest breakthroughs, launching 21 homers in 135 games. His return sends hot-hitting rookie Yohendrick Piñango, who hit .423 (11-for-26) with four RBI in 10 games for the Blue Jays since late April, back to the minors.

Barger is currently traveling to join the Jays in Toronto after finishing up his minor league rehab assignment at High-A Dunedin. The 26-year-old slugger started the season just 1-for-19 (.053) with zero homers and two RBI in eight games before landing on the injured list with a left ankle sprain during the first week of April.

It was the second home run Barger has hit on his current rehab assignment. The 26-year-old will play one more rehab game on Thursday and then is expected to rejoin the Blue Jays on Friday. Even though he was off to a slow start to the season, he’s worth grabbing if you need power since he figures to play against all right-handed pitching and hit in the middle of the Blue Jays’ lineup.

As of now, Schneider is not sure which hitter will be sent to the minors to make room for Barger. Considering both Myles Straw and Lenyn Sosa are out of minor league options, and Davis Schneider is a regular starter against left-handed pitching, it seems most logical that rookie Yohendrick Piñango will be the odd man out.

The expectation has been that Barger would need to play in two or three games on his rehab assignment before being reevaluated to see if he’s ready to return. It sounds like fantasy managers may get him back for the second half of next week barring any setbacks.