The Toronto Blue Jays should be getting closer Jordan Ramano back in the lineup soon.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters Friday that Romano was headed for a rehab assignment with triple-A Buffalo on Saturday and is expected to re-join the MLB club on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, per Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic.
The all-star right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list with lower back inflammation on July 29.
In other good injury news for Toronto, catcher Danny Jansen is feeling better after being hit by a pitch Thursday and is ready off the bench Friday if needed against the Chicago Cubs. Jansen left Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians with a right-hand contusion.
Alejandro Kirk will get the start at catcher in the Blue Jays’ series opener against the Cubs.
Blue Jays star shortstop Bo Bichette is still progressing from his knee injury and is taking groundballs, running and hitting the cage.
Reliever Trevor Richards threw a bullpen session Friday and should be ready to come off the injured list as soon as he is eligible. Richards was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 3.
Fellow reliever Chad Green, who was placed in the concussion protocol Thursday after getting hit in the head by a throw in a rehab appearance for Buffalo, did some light conditioning.