The Toronto Blue Jays are set to reinstate right-hander Lazaro Estrada from the 60-day injured list, MLB Trade Rumors reported Friday, citing Francys Romero.
The move would return one pitching option to a Toronto staff that has carried multiple starters on the 60-day IL. MLB's player search lists Estrada as a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who made his major league debut on July 5, 2025.
Estrada Returns From Shoulder Injury
Estrada has missed two and a half months with a shoulder impingement. MLBTR reported that his only big league outing this season came April 4, when he worked four innings as part of a bullpen game.
He has been throwing two- and three-inning stints during his rehab assignment, though he worked as a starter in Triple-A last season. The Blue Jays can activate him without an immediate 40-man roster move because they recently designated Yariel Rodriguez and Connor Seabold for assignment.
Toronto also has optional-assignment flexibility. MLBTR noted that Estrada has a couple of options remaining, so the club could reinstate him from the injured list and keep him in Triple-A if it does not need him on the active major league roster right away.
Blue Jays Rotation Still Short
The wider rotation picture explains why Estrada's return matters. MLBTR listed Jose Berrios, Cody Ponce and Bowden Francis as 60-day IL starters who are not coming back this season, while Shane Bieber could return as soon as next week.
Kevin Gausman allowed seven runs over two innings in Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field, and the Blue Jays did not have a starter lined up for Monday's opener against the Astros. Depending on Bieber's timing, Toronto could consider Estrada, Spencer Miles or Simeon Woods Richardson for bulk innings.
The transaction does not solve the rotation by itself. It does give Toronto another healthy arm after a long injury absence, and that is useful currency for a team still sorting through bullpen games and rehab timelines.