The Jays just recently placed ace pitcher Dylan Cease on the injured list, but are hopefully getting closer to getting back two key pieces in their lineup.
The roster hits just keep on coming for the Toronto Blue Jays, who placed ace right-hander Dylan Cease on the 15-day injured list with a strained left hamstring earlier this week.
But despite that roster hit, the Jays are actually working toward better health, as evidenced by an update that manager John Schneider gave on Wednesday before a contest with the Miami Marlins.
As noted by Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, outfielder Addison Barger, out with an elbow issue, is going to begin throwing "probably" on Thursday. Catcher Alejandro Kirk, currently sidelined with a broken left thumb, is working to start a rehab assignment by June 5.
About Kirk
Now 27-years-old, Kirk is already a seven-year veteran of the Blue Jays. A two-time All-Star, he's one of the best contact hitters in the league and a leader of the pitching staff. He's a career .267 hitter with 52 homers and 265 RBIs. He hit .282 a season ago as the Blue Jays advanced to Game 7 of the World Series, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He's out to a .150 start this season through just five games with a homer and two RBIs.
He also represented Mexico at the World Baseball Classic this March.
Getting him back in the lineup will be instrumental for the lineup itself, but will also be big for a pitching staff that is currently being held together by openers and bulk relievers.
Brandon Valenzuela, 25, has played in 35 games since Kirk got injured, doing a nice job. He's hitting .250 with four homers and 10 RBIs.
About Barger
Thus far, this has been a lost year for Barger, who entered the season with much expectation and promise. The 26-year-old Washington native has played in just nine games, going 1-for-22 (.045) with a double and two RBIs.
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger (47) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning during spring training at TD Ballpark. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesHe's missed significant time with bilateral ankle discomfort and is on the injured list now with elbow inflammation.
A breakout star of last year's playoff run, Barger hit 21 homers and drove in 74 runs. He hit .367 in the playoffs with three homers, nine RBIs and a .441 on-base percentage.
Up next
The Blue Jays will wrap up a three-game series with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon at Rogers Centre. Now 26-29, the Jays will send veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman to the mound against young righty Eury Perez.
First pitch is set for 1:07 p.m. ET.
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