Blue Jays’ injury-prone reliever Yimi Garcia likely done for the season as he mulls surgery

Reliever diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome

Published Aug 07, 2026  •  Last updated 15 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Yimi García of the Toronto Blue Jays throws against the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 6, 2025 in Anaheim. Photo by Ronald Martinez /Getty Images

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As the Blue Jays await news on the status of Trey Yesavage’s left knee, the club was informed of Yimi Garcia’s unfortunate fate after the reliever was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, per manager John Schneider.

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By no means should Garcia’s status be dismissed knowing had he been healthy, and he hasn’t this season, he would have seamlessly fit into a high-leverage role.

His ailment, known as TOS, is a group of disorders that happens when the nerves or blood vessels are squeezed in the space between one’s collarbone and first rib.

It results in a pain in one’s neck, shoulder, arm and hand, along with numbness or tingling.

When Schneider informed the assembled media in Philadelphia Friday prior to the series opener against the Phillies, he added Garcia had to decide whether surgery would be pursued.

Ominously, Schneider added Garcia’s season is “most likely” over.

When healthy, Garcia has pitched well when summoned out of the bullpen.

The issue has been health and his inability to stay injury-free.

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This past off-season, Garcia underwent elbow surgery.

In his attempts to make it back to the majors, Garcia suffered new injuries when making rehab assignments.

Garcia is 35 years old, and in the final year of his contract.

In other words, we may have seen the last of Garcia with the club.

Depending on what a specialist recommends Monday when Yesavage pays a visit, we have also seen the last of the right-hander starter, at least for the balance of the season.

In Houston on Tuesday, Yesavage felt a pinching in his left knee while warming up for the third inning.

An MRI revealed an injury to the meniscus.

If surgery is recommended, it’s a certainty Yesavage won’t pitch again this season.

Whether it was Monday’s trade deadline, or any day this week for that matter, the Jays have been quite active when managing their roster and adjusting to whatever gets thrown their way.

Luis Urias, who has won a game with his bat and whose throwing error also cost the Jays a game, was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday because of a right quad strain he suffered Thursday in the Blue Jays’ 3-2 loss to the host Chicago Cubs in 11 innings.

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One of the prospects Toronto acquired from the Cubs as part of the Kevin Gausman trade is outfielder Brett Bateman, who was selected to the Blue Jays’ roster and made his big-league debut Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Bateman started in centre field and batted ninth in the lineup.

In the four games since Daulton Varsho was traded to Houston, Myles Straw was the incumbent in centre field.

Bateman profiles as a speedster who has decent plate discipline.

Don’t expect much slug from Bateman, who is known more as a contact hitter.

In his second game with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Bateman produced a highlight-reel catch in centre.

As for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Jays did not have his name listed in Friday night’s starting lineup, marking the third game in a row Vlad Jr. has not been in the lineup because of hamstring tightness, while he has also battled a back issue.

There was talk Vlad Jr. might be available Saturday.

Also on Friday, Kazuma Okamoto started at first base for the sixth time this season.

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The Jays are in the midst of a stretch of playing 17 straight games, which ties a season high, and 30 in 31 days.

Once their three-game series against the Phillies is completed, the Jays will play 13 in a row against AL East rivals Boston, New York and Tampa Bay, beginning with a four-game set at Rogers Centre against the red hot-Red Sox Monday night.

Meanwhile, knuckleballer Matt Waldron, whom the Jays claimed off waivers from the San Diego Padres a few days ago, has reported to the club, leading to a corresponding move that saw Chase Lee optioned to Buffalo.

Lee recorded his first career MLB save on Wednesday when the Jays won an extra-inning game in Houston. He also pitched against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday.

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