The Toronto Blue Jays have optioned Brendon Little back to Triple-A one day after recalling him to the major league roster. Little gave up four runs on two hits and three walks in Friday’s 16-2 loss against the Chicago Cubs.
Little replaced Tommy Nance with one out in the bottom of the fifth. He escaped the inning without giving up a run. He returned for the sixth inning but loaded the bases while only getting one out. He was replaced by Spencer Miles after giving up an RBI walk to Carson Kelly to make it and 8-2 game.
Little has a 27.00 ERA with the Blue Jays in 2026. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays reinstated Lazaro Estrada from the 60-day IL on Saturday.
Estrada has appeared in one game with the Blue Jays in 2026. He pitched four scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox in April before being place on the IL with a right shoulder impingement.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is back in the Blue Jays’ lineup for Saturday’s game against the Cubs.
Guerrero left in the sixth inning of Friday’s 16-2 loss against the Cubs with an apparent back injury. He clutched his back while running to first base after popping out for the first out of the inning. He was replaced by Charles McAdoo at first base for the remainder of the game.
Guerrero previously missed two games in a three-game series against the New York Yankees due to back tightness earlier in June.
Guerrero is slashing .276/.363/.368 with 30 RBIs in 2026. He has struggled with power, coming into Saturday’s game with just four home runs in 72 games. His home run in Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox was his first home run since May 17.
Daulton Varsho was reinstated from the 10-day IL following a wrist injury. He will start in centre field against the Cubs Saturday. Varsho is slashing .256/.331/.408 with five home runs in 2026. McAdoo was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
Friday’s 16-2 loss was the most lopsided loss for the Blue Jays in 2026. They entered the game with a chance to reach the .500 mark. Instead, they are third in the AL East with a 37-39 record.
The Blue Jays are 10 games back of the Yankees for the division lead and one game back of the Athletics for the final AL Wild Card spot.
Patrick Corbin will start for the Blue Jays in Saturday’s matinee. He has a 4.57 ERA in 13 starts in 2026. Colin Rea will start for the Cubs. He has a 5.35 ERA in 15 starts for the Cubs in 2026.
