Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano has been activated from the injured list after sitting out for two weeks with lower-back inflammation, the team announced Tuesday.
The 30-year-old was taken out of the July 29 game against the Los Angeles Angels with the injury. Manager John Schneider later told reporters that he “wanted to play it a little bit safe there,” in his decision to remove Romano from the game.
Romano suffered a similar injury at the All-Star Game in July that sidelined him for a week.
In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays optioned pitcher Nate Pearson to triple-A Buffalo.
In 42.0 innings pitched this season, Romano has a 2.79 ERA with 28 saves.
The return of the all-star closer is timely as the Blue Jays currently sit, rather precariously, in a wild-card spot with the Seattle Mariners just two games back.
John Schneider also announced that all-star shortstop Bo Bichette will be designated hitter at triple-A Buffalo tonight, along with playing shortstop tomorrow. Schneider remains optimistic Bichette could return to the lineup as soon as Friday if all goes well.
The 24-year-old was placed on the injured list on August 2 with patellar tendinitis, suffered while running the bases on July 31.
The club’s most productive hitter this season, Bichette is batting .321 with 17 home runs and 59 RBI.
Third baseman Matt Chapman is also missing his second consecutive game after jamming his middle finger on a weight rack over the weekend. Santiago Espinal takes his place on the field and will bat eighth.
In other injury news, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is progressing after a cut in his elbow led to eight stitches and has sidelined him since August 6. He could make his return to the team as early as this weekend.
Pitchers Trevor Richards and Chad Green both have rehab outings scheduled at triple-A Buffalo tonight. Green entered concussion protocol last week after his catcher, in an attempt to catch an opponent stealing second, clipped the pitcher on the head. He is out of protocol now and set to resume his rehab stint following Tommy John surgery last year.
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