The Vibes have been bad around here for the past few days so let’s talk about some good news.

Ross Stripling went on the 15-day Injured List with a hip strain earlier this month and made his first rehab start with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Friday. Stripling threw five scoreless innings and scattered just three hits while striking out five.

Stripling was placed on the IL on August 3 but it was retroactive to July 31, so he’ll be eligible to re-join the team in a couple of days. Going on normal five-day rest from his rehab start on Friday, Stripling would be in line to start for the Blue Jays on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles.

That being said, when Stripling is activated, we could see the Blue Jays opt to roll with the six-man starting rotation for a period of time. Alek Manoah has pitched 137 innings this season, well beyond his career-high in a single season, and it might be the right move to space out his starts down the stretch.

Sticking with the Bisons, Julian Merryweather threw a scoreless frame in his first outing at Triple-A since going on the Injured List with an abdominal strain. Merryweather has now made three scoreless appearances since being injured, one in Rookie Ball, one in Low-A with Dunedin, and now one with Buffalo.

Merryweather didn’t have great results in the Majors this season (6.38 ERA in 18 1/3 innings with 17 strikeouts and three walks) but it would be nice for the Blue Jays to add a guy with swing and miss stuff to their bullpen. We’re all crossing our fingers that April 2021 Merryweather can make his triumphant return.