News and Notes: Joey Votto 'ramping up baseball activities', Yimi García could return soon, and more!

This season, García has a 0.68 ERA and a 2.39 FIP in 13.1 innings pitched, along with a 34 K% and 6.4 BB%. He’s been nothing short of great this season, and if the Jays need to sell, he could be a valuable piece.

Bowden Francis update

According to Zwelling, Bowden Francis threw a bullpen yesterday and is scheduled to throw another one Thursday. Zwelling also reported that when he pitches in rehab assignments (likely for Buffalo), he’ll start, but once returning, he’ll come out of the bullpen.

It’s been a tough season for Franics, as he has a 8.59 ERA and a 6.01 FIP in 14.2 innings pitched, along with a 25 K% and a 10.3 BB%. Prior to hitting the Injured List, he had pitched four innings with no-run ball and was seemingly turning a corner until he was placed on the IL.

Chad Green update

Another painful loss in the bullpen, Green is playing long toss and could throw off a mound soon, according to Zwelling.

Green hasn’t pitched since April 15, about a week shy of a month at this point. When he has pitched, he has a 2.35 ERA and a 5.49 FIP in 7.2 innings pitched, or seven outings. The K% sits at 25%, while his BB% of 7.1% is lower than last season’s 7.7 BB%.

The bullpen hasn’t been fully healthy all season, as Erik Swanson and Jordan Romano returned to the mound a day after Green last pitched. This has made the Jays rely on guys like Zach Pop and Nate Pearson.

Ricky Tiedemann update

Some news on the minor league side of things, Ricky Tiedemann has been out with an ulnar nerve issue for the past few weeks, but has resumed throwing in Dunedin. While not on a mound yet, Zwelling reports that it could happen in the next few weeks.

Toronto’s top prospect has had a rough season in 2024. With the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, the 21-year-old has a 5.63 ERA and a 10.50 FIP in eight innings pitched. Tiedemann’s K% is usually on the high-side, but his 23.8 K% this season is the lowest at any level, albeit in a small sample size. Moreover, his 21.4 BB% is the highest he’s ever had.

Joey Votto update

In his first plate appearance for his hometown team, Joey Votto went deep during his first Spring Training game. However, he rolled his ankle on a loose bat in the dugout, and what seemed like a day-to-day injury has turned into a two-month adventure of “Where’s Votto?”

Zwelling provided some clarity on the situation, reporting that he’s still ramping up baseball activities, and the next step will be live at bats.

It still seems like it’ll be at least a few weeks until Votto is ready to go for the Blue Jays, maybe even longer. Votto struggled with the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, slashing .202/.314/.433 with 14 homers in 242 plate appearances for a 98 wRC+. However, the 2021 season proved that he was still one of the best hitting first baseman, as he slashed .266/.375/.563 with 36 home runs in 533 plate appearances.

While the Jays probably won’t get that version of Votto (he’s 40), having that experience in the dugout will help.

Yariel Rodríguez update

Coming from Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae, Yariel Rodríguez will the Jays on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old was placed on the 15-day Injured List due to “Thoracic Spine Inflammation” on April 30, which doesn’t sound all too fun. It sucks, because Rodríguez was off to a solid start to his big league career, posting a 4.11 ERA and a 4.51 FIP in 15.1 innings pitched in four games.

Hopefully, he returns to the roster sooner rather than later.

me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.