The Toronto Blue Jays have been far from the picture of health over the first quarter-and-change of the 2026 season.
Manager John Schneider provided updates on the myriad of injuries the club is dealing with.
Starters Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer are both progressing in their throwing. Bieber is set to throw a batting practice Tuesday, about 30 pitches simulating two innings, and Scherzer threw a 22-pitch side session on Monday, with another planned for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Rule 5 pick Spencer Miles is slated to pitch the bulk of the innings in the Blue Jays vacant rotation spot for the time being, either as a starter or behind an opener.
“You don't want to move him back and forth too much. If we're going to do it, try to be consistent with it,” said Schneider before the Blue Jays game against the New York Yankees on Monday.
Miles threw a season-high 3.2 innings and 56 pitches in his most recent outing against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. The 25-year-old struck out five and walked two after entering in relief of Mason Fluharty to start the second inning.
Alejandro Kirk caught Bieber’s recent side session but is not hitting full batting practice yet, as the broken thumb he's recovering from is currently bothering him more while hitting than catching. The Blue Jays should have a better sense of how long it will take him to get into rehab games later this week.
“He’s continuing to catch, throw, hit. Not fully hitting regular BP yet, but making progress,” Schneider said.
Addison Barger is in Toronto for a follow up, seeking the green light to start hitting and throwing tomorrow while he works his way back from right elbow inflammation.
Schneider previously told reporters that Barger has "nothing structural wrong" with his elbow and that the issue is in his joint. The 26-year-old had a cortisone shot after being placed on the 10-day injured list May 11.
Right-hander Yimi García is to throw a bullpen session Tuesday as he returns from elbow surgery late last season.
And Nathan Lukes will begin a rehab assignment with low-A Dunedin tomorrow as a DH, returning to game action for the first time since sustaining a hamstring strain April 24. He will also play a couple of games in the outfield before next steps are set.
--with files from The Associated Press
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