The Toronto Blue Jays were hit with another injury Monday as outfielder Addison Barger is back on the injured list, this time with right elbow inflammation.
The move is retroactive to May 10.
Barger was a late scratch from the lineup Sunday for Toronto’s season-finale against the Los Angeles Angels. The team did not say how he sustained the injury, however, Barger did make a long throw from right field to home plate during the second inning of Saturday’s game to cut down Jorge Soler and end the inning. Barger’s throw was measured at 101.2 mph, which was the Blue Jays’ fastest assist during the Statcast era.
After the game, MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson reported Barger spoke to reporters wearing an ice pack on his right elbow.
Outfielder Yohendrick Pinango has re-joined the team from Triple-A Buffalo in place of Barger and will be active for Monday’s series-opener against the Rays.
Barger was making his return to the big club after being out for more than one month with a left ankle injury sustained in a game against the Chicago White Sox on April 5. Pinango played 10 games with the Jays during Barger’s absence, slashing .423/.444/.462 with four RBI. He was sent down Saturday when Barger was activated.
The 26-year-old Barger is hitting just .045 in nine games this season, but did draw two walks in Saturday’s game in addition to his highlight-reel throw from right field.
Blue Jays DFA Lauer
Meanwhile, left-hander Eric Lauer was designated for assignment after his rough outing on Sunday where he allowed six earned runs in a loss to the Angels.
The outing brought Lauer’s ERA to 6.69 for the season in eight games, well above his 3.18 ERA from last season.
Right-hander Yariel Rodriguez is back with the team and is active for Monday’s opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was originally outrighted off the Jays’ 40-player roster this past winter and has played 11 games for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons this season, pitching to a 2.63 ERA. He had a 3.08 ERA in 66 games last year but struggled across four postseason outings.
The Blue Jays (18-22) enter play Monday third in the American League East.
