Most of the time with minor-league rehab assignments the reports on injured players making their way back from the disabled list are overwhelmingly positive, but it doesn’t sound like Blue Jays reliever Frank Francisco is doing very well in his comeback from a strained pectoral muscle.
Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports that Francisco has allowed six runs on four hits and three walks while recording five outs at Single-A and manager John Farrell revealed that his fastball has clocked in at just 88-89 miles per hour. Last season Francisco averaged 93.4 mph with his fastball.
Francisco was initially expected to come off the disabled list after just a few rehab appearances, but according to Chisholm he’s now at least three more outings away from returning. Or as Farrell put it: “The feeling is that he needs more reps, more innings on the mound.”
Jon Rauch has been closing in Francisco’s place, although Shawn Camp got (and blew) a multi-inning save chance in yesterday’s wild loss to the Mariners.
