3 Blue Jays appear on rehab Friday night with Triple-A Buffalo
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Aug 29, 2026, 10:19 EDT
Reinforcements could soon be on the way for the Toronto Blue Jays.
On Friday night, three Blue Jays – Jameson Taillon, Joe Mantiply, and Josh Smith – appeared in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons during their 5-3 loss against the Rochester Red Wings.
Taillon, who is working his way back from right forearm tendinitis, made his first start since landing on the 15-day injured list on August 11. The right-hander turned in a pitching line of 3.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, throwing 48 pitches (34 strikes) while being tagged with the loss.
Acquired from the Chicago Cubs on August 2, Taillon was in the midst of his second start with the Blue Jays before dealing with the discomfort after four shutout innings on August 10 during a 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Through his two outings with the Blue Jays, Taillon posted a 3.38 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. The 34-year-old struck out seven batters across his eight innings pitched and held opponents to a .226 average during that span.
With a beat-up bullpen, Taillon is likely to join the Blue Jays in Cleveland and return to the rotation on Tuesday, a turn that has been a bullpen day as of late.
Joe Mantiply made his second rehab outing with the Bisons and fourth overall as he works his way back from left knee surgery. The left-hander turned in a pitching line of 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K and threw 18 pitches (12 strikes).
Currently in the Blue Jays’ bullpen, the only trusted lefty is Mason Fluharty. With Brendon Little’s notable struggles, Mantiply has a chance to receive a look as a key arm over the regular season’s final month.
Signed by the Blue Jays to a minor-league deal in March, Mantiply pitched in 17 games with the club before the injury and went 1-0 with a 2.04 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. In his final 11 outings before being placed on the IL, Mantiply didn’t allow a run and struck out six.
After playing nine innings at second base on Thursday night with the Bisons, Smith started at third base on Friday night and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. The 29-year-old grounded out and flied out before lining into a double play in his final at-bat of the evening.
Acquired by the Blue Jays from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Adam Macko, Smith was placed on the 10-day IL on August 21 with left hamstring inflammation. Through 14 games with the club before the injury, Smith batted .250 with two home runs and three RBIs while reaching base at a .323 clip.
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