Toronto Blue Jays May Get Key Pieces Back in Time for Yankees

The Toronto Blue Jays could be getting back two key relievers and a catcher in time for a series with the New York Yankees.

TORONTO — Even though it may be mid-April, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider understands the value of potentially having more weapons in his bullpen and lineup in time for a key upcoming series with a division rival.

Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon after the Blue Jays returned from an off day in the middle of a nine-game homestand, Schneider hinted that Jordan Romano (right elbow inflammation) and Erik Swanson (right forearm inflammation) could be back in time for all or a portion of the series with the New York Yankees that begins at the Rogers Centre on Monday night.

Romano and Swanson, neither of whom have thrown this season for the Blue Jays after starting the year on the injured list, are scheduled to pitch in a game for Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday while catcher Danny Jansen (fractured left wrist) will be behind the plate.

That game will also feature Alek Manoah as the starter, so plenty of Toronto eyes will be on what happens in Buffalo with four key members of the Jays scheduled to play.

“The plan for (Jansen) is to hopefully get two games in over the weekend behind the plate,” Schneider said.

If all goes well, Schneider said, it would be “great” to have Jansen as part of the catching mix against the Yankees, a team that took two of three from Toronto in the Bronx in their first meeting of 2024.

With Romano, Schneider said, “We’ll see,” noting Saturday would be his second outing in Buffalo. His first time on the mound came on April 11 as he recorded one out and allowed one hit while walking two. However, Schneider tapped the brakes on any concern with those numbers, or the ones posted by Swanson in Buffalo (13.50 ERA with two hits and a run surrendered while logging a pair of outs).

“More so just trying to get a couple of outings in before they get back here and hit the ground running,” Schneider noted about what the Blue Jays were hoping to accomplish during the rehab stints and that it’s more about health than Triple-A statistics.