The Toronto Blue Jays are juggling their pitching staff as they inch closer to a wild-card spot.
Righty Jameson Taillon has been reinstated from the 15-day injured list and is set to start Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals, the team announced before first pitch (Sportsnet, 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT).
In a corresponding move, lefty Ricky Tiedemann was optioned to triple-A Buffalo.
Taillon has been on the IL with right forearm tendinitis since Aug. 11. He pitched in a rehab game at triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 28, throwing 3.1 innings and 48 pitches while surrendering three hits, two walks and four earned runs.
Acquired from the Chicago Cubs ahead of this year's trade deadline, Taillon had made two starts for the Blue Jays before suffering the injury. In those two outings, the Canadian-American dual-citizen posted a 3.38 ERA with seven strikeouts and five walks in eight innings.
Before the trade, he recorded a 5.92 ERA over 15 starts before being designated for assignment by the Cubs.
Tiedemann, meanwhile, has bounced between triple-A and MLB this season, appearing out of the bullpen at the top level for the Blue Jays. His last appearance came on Sept. 1 against the Cleveland Guardians, pitching one shutout inning of relief in a 6-1 loss.
The Blue Jays (70-71) are half a game back of the final wild-card spot in the American League after a series win over the Guardians.
10:06
1:43
