According to Ari Alexander of KPRC2, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed free-agent relief pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow) to a two-year contract worth $15 million. Last season, Garcia opened the season in Toronto and was eventually traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfielder Jonatan Clase. Overall across 39 innings of work, the right-hander held a 3.46 ERA and a stellar 0.90 WHIP with five saves and 13 holds. Garcia's season was cut short in late August due to elbow inflammation. Under the hood, he generated an impressive .185 xBA, 32.0% strikeout rate and 34.4% hard-hit rate, which were all significantly above the average marks. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to spring training, as he may face an uphill battle to be ready for the season opener. With Garcia returning to Toronto, fantasy managers should expect him to operate as the go-to eighth inning option, but he could eventually mix in for save opportunities with Chad Green.

The Seattle Mariners moved right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow) to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday due to right-elbow inflammation, which will put him out for the rest of the 2024 season. In other moves, the M's also placed right-handed starter Luis Castillo (hamstring) on the 15-day IL (retroactive to Sept. 9) with a left-hamstring strain and selected the contract of catcher Seby Zavala from Triple-A Tacoma. The 34-year-old Garcia recently had a setback with his elbow injury and won't pitch again for the team this year. The Dominican hurler began the year pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays, where he had all five of his saves in 2024, before being traded to Seattle at the deadline in late July. Garcia only pitched in nine innings out of the bullpen after the trade and allowed six earned runs while walking four and striking out seven.

Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow) was scheduled to begin throwing this week at the team's extended spring camp after experiencing right-elbow inflammation during his most recent outing on Aug. 19. Garcia told the training staff that the issue felt similar to the one that put him on the injured list in June when he was still with the Toronto Blue Jays, but that it's not as significant. General manager Justin Hollander said the team doesn't have a timeline on Garcia, but they are hopeful he could be back at some point in the final month in September. The Dominican hurler had allowed six earned runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out seven in just nine relief innings with Seattle before his elbow injury. When he's able to return, Garcia will return to a key late-inning setup role in front of closer Andres Munoz.

The Seattle Mariners placed right-hander Yimi Garcia (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 20) on Friday with right-elbow inflammation and recalled left-hander Gabe Speier from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move. Garcia, 33, is 3-0 this year with five saves, 10 holds, a 3.46 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 49 strikeouts and 12 walks in 39 games with the Toronto Blue Jays and Mariners this year. All five of the Dominican's saves came with Toronto, though, and he's been serving as a late-inning setup man since being sent to Seattle at the trade deadline. In nine innings of work with the M's, he's allowed six earned runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out seven. Perhaps Garcia's recent poor performance are directly tied to his elbow injury. For however, long Garcia is sidelined, Seattle will look for Collin Snider and Tayler Saucedo to step up in setup roles.

The Seattle Mariners are acquiring right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, according to sources. The main return for the Blue Jays is outfield prospect Jonathan Clase. Garcia was one of the best relievers available at this year's trade deadline. The M's make another significant move after acquiring outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. While Garcia probably won't come in and take over the closer role from Andres Munoz in Seattle, the 33-year-old veteran remains highly valuable in fantasy leagues that count holds in 2024. The Dominican hurler went 3-0 in Toronto this year with a strong 2.70 ERA (2.64 FIP), a 0.80 WHIP, five saves, 42 strikeouts and only eight walks in 30 innings out of the bullpen. Garcia should have even more opportunities for holds for the contending M's.

The Toronto Blue Jays activated right-hander Yimi Garcia (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned pitcher Zach Pop to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. The Blue Jays also recalled right-hander Erik Swanson from Buffalo. Garcia will return to Toronto's bullpen after being sidelined since the middle of June with right-elbow neuritis, and the 33-year-old veteran also had a setback along the way due to some neck stiffness while on his minor-league rehab assignment. Now that he's back, Garcia should have a chance for saves with regular closer Jordan Romano (elbow) potentially out for the rest of the season. Garcia's primary competition for saves will be veteran right-hander Chad Green. Swanson had an ERA north of 9.00 in 17 appearances out of Toronto's bullpen earlier this year and struggled initially at Buffalo, but he's back in the bigs now and could become an option for fantasy managers in holds leagues by the end of the year.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow) made his slated appearance for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. A return to the last-place Blue Jays for Sunday's series finale against the hosting Arizona Diamondbacks hasn't been ruled out, per manager John Schneider, but it's also possible the team simply activates him following the All-Star break. Either way, Garcia is on the cusp of being reinstated from the 15-day injured list and needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues at this stage of his recovery from right ulnar nerve neuritis. Although the 33-year-old veteran right-hander could be a trade chip ahead of the deadline on July 30, Garcia owns a superb 2.57 ERA (2.88 FIP), 0.78 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB over 28 innings and has a chance to unseat Chad Green as Toronto's preferred closer with Jordan Romano (elbow) shut down for another month.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia's (elbow, neck) planned minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday was delayed for the second straight day due to a stiff neck, but he threw on the side instead. Garcia is now scheduled to pitch for the Bisons on Thursday. If that goes well, he could return to Toronto's bullpen for the final series of the first half of the season this weekend in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. It's not ideal for the 33-year-old, but it doesn't sound like a serious setback if he still has a chance to return to the big-league roster before next week's All-Star break. Garcia has become a much more interesting fantasy asset since regular closer Jordan Romano (elbow) underwent potentially season-ending surgery. When Garcia rejoins the Jays, he'll have a shot to take over regular closing duties from Chad Green if he can stay healthy.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow, neck) was scheduled to make a minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday but was scratched due to a stiff neck. Garcia's issue is considered minor, though, and he's now scheduled to pitch for the Bisons on Wednesday. The 33-year-old's rehab has taken a slight pause, but if he's able to get through Wednesday's outing without a setback, there's still a chance he could rejoin Toronto's bullpen before next week's All-Star break. With Jordan Romano (elbow) potentially out for the year after having elbow surgery, Garcia has become even more valuable to the Jays and fantasy managers, as he could take over closing duties from Chad Green when he comes off the injured list. Garcia has gone 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, five saves and 37 K's in 28 relief innings in 2024.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow) said his side session went well on Wednesday and he felt good on Thursday morning. Garcia is joining Triple-A Buffalo on Friday and will pitch for the Bisons in his first minor-league rehab appearance on Saturday. He's thinking he'll need at least a couple of rehab outings before the team considers reinstating him from the injured list. The 33-year-old should be able to rejoin the back end of Toronto's bullpen before the All-Star break. And with Jordan Romano (elbow) potentially missing the rest of the season now after having elbow surgery, Garcia becomes even more attractive in fantasy leagues as the Blue Jays' potential primary closing option when he's healthy. Right now, veteran Chad Green has locked down closing duties in Toronto with both Romano and Garcia on the shelf.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Wednesday, after which he would need at least one minor-league rehab appearance, according to manager John Schneider. If Wednesday's session goes well, Garcia's next step could be a rehab assignment. The 33-year-old's fantasy stock has gone up despite being on the injured list at the moment because of the fact that regular closer Jordan Romano (elbow) may not pitch again in 2024 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday. Before Garcia got hurt, he was serving as Toronto's primary ninth-inning arm with Romano hurt, although he could share save opportunities with Chad Green when he's done with his rehab assignment. Either way, Garcia should be scooped up off the waiver wire if he's available in your league.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow) threw off a mound without issue on Sunday, according to manager John Schneider. Garcia will throw off a mound again on Wednesday before the team decides his next steps. The 33-year-old right-hander has been out the last two weeks on the 15-day injured list with a nerve issue in his elbow, but he could skip a minor-league rehab assignment and return to Toronto's bullpen before the All-Star break in mid-July. Garcia's fantasy relevance went up when regular closer Jordan Romano (elbow) was shut down again from his throwing program recently. Chad Green has been serving as Toronto's ninth-inning man with both Garcia and Romano out, but when Garcia is able to return, he could take over those closing duties. Garcia is 3-0 on the year with a 2.57 ERA, a 0.79 WHIP, 37 K's and five saves in his 28 innings of work in 2024.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) played some light catch on Monday. Meanwhile, fellow reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow) was throwing from 120 feet. Romano is already playing catch again after reporting some soreness in his right elbow while throwing long toss last Friday. The 31-year-old isn't close to a return, though, especially since he can't seem to shake his right-elbow issues since they first cropped up in spring training. When he has been available, he's been shaky with a 6.59 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, eight saves and 13 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. Still, he should be stashed in all fantasy formats as Toronto's primary closer when he's healthy. Garcia has filled in nicely for Romano this year and already has five saves. Until one of Romano or Garcia can return from the injured list, Chad Green will serve as the Jays' first option in save situations.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Yimi Garcia put the effort in to earn his fifth save of the season in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Brewers. Garcia entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning up by two with two outs and runners on first and second. He got the third out with a strikeout and stayed on to pitch the ninth, delivering a 1-2-3 inning with two more strikeouts. The 33-year-old has served as the team's interim closer throughout the season while Jordan Romano (elbow) has served stints on the injured list. Garcia has now converted five of six save opportunities with a 1.98 ERA and a 12.18 K/9 rate in 27 1/3 innings of work. Garcia is the fantasy arm to roster from the Blue Jays' bullpen while Romano is on the IL.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia notched his third save of the season on Sunday, holding on against the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure a 5-4 win. Garcia allowed two hits and a run but finished off the game by striking out the side. Although it wasn't the most convincing save, Garcia was able to get the job done and further cement himself as the team's closer while Jordan Romano is on the IL. Garcia deserves the opportunity, as he is having a career year so far, pitching to a 1.57 ERA and 0.74 WHIP with 29 strikeouts in 23 IP. The ratios will likely come back to earth a bit, but he should be added in all fantasy leagues where saves matter while Romano is out.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia is likely the club's first closing option with Jordan Romano (elbow) being placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, according to skipper John Schneider. Schneider also mentioned that right-hander Chad Green could also see some save opportunities but Garcia is certainly the reliever of choice for fantasy managers considering the season he has enjoyed to this point. The 33-year-old has worked to a tidy 1.23 ERA alongside a 32.1% K% in 21 appearances spanning 22 innings of work. Garcia has also earned a pair of saves after beginning the season as the Jays' closer with both Romano and Erik Swanson on the IL. Considering this is Romano's second elbow-related trip to the injured list (and his 6.59 ERA) this season and Swanson being optioned to Triple-A, there's a real chance Garcia could be the team's No. 1 closer even upon Romano's return from the injured list.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (back) is available to pitch out of the bullpen for Friday's game against the visiting Minnesota Twins, according to manager John Schneider. Because of a back injury, Garcia has not appeared in a game for the Blue Jays since April 28, but he should get into a game at some point this weekend. The 33-year-old isn't as attractive in fantasy now that regular closer Jordan Romano is back in the fold at the back end of the bullpen, but Garcia has still been excellent this year. He's currently sporting a microscopic 0.68 ERA and 0.53 WHIP with only three walks and 16 strikeouts in 13 1/3 relief innings pitched. Garcia has also recorded two saves, both those both came early in the year when Romano was hurt.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Yimi Garcia struck out the side over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Garcia entered the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. The 33-year-old struck out the side to earn his first save of the season. Garcia has been terrific for the Blue Jays in 2024, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.45 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. Chad Green, who collected Toronto's previous two saves, was used in the eighth inning and logged a hold in Saturday's victory. With Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) close to returning to action, Garcia is a temporary add for fantasy managers in desperate need of saves.

With both Toronto Blue Jays relief pitchers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) dealing with injuries with Opening Day right around the corner next week, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia are two clear candidates to fill in for the closer role if Romano and Swanson aren't ready or are eased back in. Nate Pearson could also be a candidate to make the Opening Day roster if one or both of Romano and/or Swanson are on the injured list. Green has just 11 career saves, but he has enough high-leverage experience to know the ropes. Garcia saved 15 games for the Marlins in 2021 and stepped into the role a few times in Toronto last year when Romano was available, making him the best one to speculate on in deep fantasy leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia is enjoying himself a nice spring as he looks to build upon what was mostly a strong season in the 2023 campaign. The right-hander has worked to a tidy 2.25 ERA across seven outings and eight innings of work, posting a 0.63 WHIP with seven strikeouts in that time. Both of his earned runs allowed have come via solo home runs and he has walked just two batters to this point. Garcia's solid work is certainly worth monitoring considering Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano is dealing with an elbow issue and setup man Erik Swanson is also sidelined with a forearm injury. Should that duo miss time to begin the season, it's likely Garcia will be in line for some early-season save opportunities, although Romano would certainly take over closing duties upon his return.