Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia will not return this season and will undergo season-ending elbow surgery. The Blue Jays placed the right-hander on the 15-day injured list disabled list with a sprained left ankle on July 5th, and he was also rehabbing with ulnar nerve symptoms in his throwing elbow. Garcia is a reliever who has been leaned on and utilized in high-stakes situations. Garcia would have provided a significant boost to the pen if he had been able to return.
Garcia’s Elbow Injury Requires Season-Ending Surgery
Garcia Officially Bites The Dust
Overall, this is the same injury García dealt with a year ago, which landed him on the IL for just over a month. Then, before he returned, he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners at the Trade Deadline. But Garcia returned to Toronto on a two-year, $15-million deal in the off-season.
The ulnar nerve shoots from the elbow all the way down to the hand. Ultimately, when it’s inflamed, it generates numbness. Since this occurred, the Blue Jays have held their breath while García has met with the team’s doctors.
It was hoped that García’s injury timeline would be the same as last season, and that would have been the best possible outcome for the Blue Jays. But the Blue Jays will be without their high-leverage reliever for the rest of this season.
Garcia turned to Dr. Keith Meister, who is an orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon. He’s an expert when it comes to Tommy John surgery. Garcia did this to get a second opinion on his elbow a few days ago.
Before the Shelf
An unfortunate blow with a bullpen that has showcased some struggles recently. The surgery Garcia will undergo will help heal the scar tissue in his elbow, and he is expected to return and be ready for the 2026 spring training. The 35-year-old sported a 3.86 ERA and 1.19 WHIP paired with 25 strikeouts and 12 walks across 21 innings in 2025. The Venezuelan reliever last pitched on July 2nd.
Main Photo Credits: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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