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Blue Jays: Don’t count on Yimi García returning to the roster in 2026
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Photo credit: © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Ben Wrixon
Jul 10, 2026, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 10, 2026, 07:36 EDT
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Yimi García was expected to be a big part of the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen in 2026, but it’s looking more and more like he won’t be a part of it at all. 
García, 35, is currently on the injured list as he continues to recover from surgery on his pitching elbow from last season. He appeared on the cusp of a return in early June, making several rehab appearances with the Buffalo Bisons before being derailed by biceps soreness that Blue Jays general manager described as “complex.”
From a roster construction—and trade deadline—standpoint, the Blue Jays need to operate as if García won’t pitch this season because he probably won’t. He’s not someone they can be hoping will help them down the stretch or flip for prospects if they decide to sell, which should be on the table considering how poorly the team played. 
García has been effective when healthy over the last few seasons. The problem is that he simply hasn’t been healthy very often, and the Blue Jays knew that when they brought him back on a two-year, $15-million deal ahead of the 2025 season. 
He missed most of the second half of 2024 after they traded him to the Seattle Mariners for Jonatan Clase and Jacob Sharp. He made just 22 appearances last season, all of which came before the Blue Jays took off and became the eventual American League champions. 
There is no guarantee García will even be the same pitcher he once was if he somehow does make it back to the Blue Jays this season. He gave up eight earned runs on 12 hits in just 6.2 innings in Buffalo before getting shut down. Rehab outings are, of course, more about process than results, but this showing was nonetheless discouraging. 
He could be a similar case to Shane Bieber if he does come back in August or September. Bieber, like García, struggled with the Bisons during his rehab appearances and has gotten absolutely rocked since returning to the Blue Jays. He’s been borderline unstartable. 
So, with all that being said, the Blue Jays’ front office needs to exclude García from their plans regardless of which way they lean. If they believe the current team needs two more bullpen arms to be successful, then they need to add two guys. If they are weighing the pros and cons of buying versus based on assets they could move, García can’t be included. 
The writing is unfortunately on the wall for García. His arm simply isn’t healthy enough to be a factor during the 2026 season, and the Blue Jays need to accept that and move on. Any contributions at this point would be a massive surprise. 

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