Blue Jays Notebook: Merryweather Returns, Injury Updates, Changing Playoff Chances
While José Bautista headlined Toronto's weekend series at Rogers Centre, there was a fair amount of other news around the Blue Jays.
From reliever Julian Merryweather's return to a bevy of injury updates and more, here's the latest around the team:
Merryweather Returns, Reflects on Blue Jays Days
Julian Merryweather came to Toronto facing insurmountable expectations. A 26-year-old prospect pitcher midway through a Tommy John recovery, Merryweather had the burden of being traded for 2015 AL MVP, Josh Donaldson.
For a glimmering moment in 2021, it looked like Merryweather might overcome at least part of that burden, dicing through the Yankees lineup to earn the team's first save of the season. But, injuries and home runs ultimately became the subhead of his Blue Jays chapter. When Merryweather was claimed off waivers by the Cubs in 2022, he finished his Toronto tenure with a 5.64 ERA in just 52.2 innings.
Merryweather looks back at his Toronto days fondly, the 31-old said. It was full of firsts — debut, first save, first win — but it was also packed with inconsistency and IL stints. Now a regular in the Cubs bullpen having the best year of his career, the righty credits "learning his body" for being able to stay healthy in 2023.
"It's kind of been helping me stay a little bit more healthy and on the field, just feeling better day to day. It's probably the biggest adjustment, just being healthy," Merryweather said. "That leads to staying in games and learning through the experience of being in games, just kind of adds up."
After locking down the win in Saturday's game against the Jays, Merryweather pushed his record to 4-0 with a 3.44 ERA and 11.9 K/9. Most importantly, he's doubled his career innings pitched total this year alone, avoiding the IL entirely. He's never going to be Donaldson, but Merryweather's finally finding consistent health and success in the big leagues.
"Julian's been through a lot injury wise, especially with us," manager John Schneider said. "From a baseball standpoint and a human standpoint, it's nice to see a guy healthy and doing well."
Injury Updates: Bichette, Romano, Richards, Chapman
For most of the season, the Blue Jays swatted away the injury bug. But, it's bit hard in recent days. Here are some injury updates from across the roster:
SS Bo Bichette continues to increase his pre-game workload as he rehabs his right patellar tendinitis injury. Over the weekend the shortstop ran the bases, took ground balls, and hit in the batting cage. He remains day-to-day and the Blue Jays are likely to send him on a brief rehab assignment in Buffalo before he returns to the Toronto lineup.
CL Jordan Romano pitched a rehab inning with the Triple-A Bisons on Sunday. He allowed two hits and no runs, reaching 14 pitches. The Blue Jays are aiming for Romano to re-join the MLB bullpen on Tuesday.
3B Matt Chapman was scratched from Sunday's lineup with right middle finger inflammation. He suffered the injury in the weight room, pinching the digit between weights. The "off day comes at a good time," Schneider said, as Chapman isn't expected to miss much or any more time.
RP Trevor Richards (neck) pitched a bullpen session on Friday and "looked great," Schneider said. The Jays are hoping to get him back on or just after Thursday when he's eligible to come off the IL.
CF Kevin Kiermaier has been hitting and doing defensive drills since going on the IL with an elbow laceration. He's on track to be activated as soon as he's eligible.
How Do The Blue Jays' Playoff Chances Stack Up?
The Seattle Mariners have surged back into playoff contention, rattling off an 8-1 record since trade deadline day. While the Blue Jays could still push up the table, it sure seems like it'll be a Seattle vs Toronto battle for the final wild-card down the stretch.
Ahead of Sunday's game against the Cubs, the Blue Jays sat just a half-game up on the Mariners for the AL's final playoff spot:
Despite narrowly clinging onto a postseason position, the Blue Jays are still favored in playoff odds. FanGraphs gives Toronto a 57.4% chance of making the dance as of Sunday with a 3.4% shot of winning the World Series. Just a week ago, though, Toronto's playoff odds sat as high as 74.9%.
While we're approaching scoreboard and standings watching time for fans and media members, Chris Bassitt won't be joining in.
"I've been in that trap a long time ago," Bassitt said after Saturday's start. "It never works out. If your scoreboard watching or standings watching, it never works out, ever. If you're talking about another team, it never works out. So don't worry about anyone but yourself."
Mitch Bannon is a baseball reporter for Sports Illustrated covering the Toronto Blue Jays and their minor league affiliates.Twitter: @MitchBannon