Toronto Blue Jays Reinstate Lazaro Estrada From 60-Day Injured List

The Toronto Blue Jays will reinstate right-hander Lazaro Estrada from the 60-day injured list, reports Francys Romero. Toronto has a couple openings on the 40-man roster after recently designating Yariel Rodríguez and Connor Seabold for assignment. Estrada also has a couple options remaining, so the Jays wouldn’t need any corresponding moves if they simply keep him in Triple-A on an optional assignment. And with Brendon Little allowing four runs in his first MLB appearance in two months, he seems the likeliest candidate to go back to the minors if the Jays want to carry Estrada on the MLB roster. Estrada is back to health after missing two and a half months with a shoulder impingement, and he made a four-inning appearance as part of a bullpen game on April 4. So Estrada's return provides a boost to the team's pitching roster, which has been depleted by injuries. The 27-year-old righty has worked 2-3 inning stints on his rehab assignment but worked as a starter in Triple-A last season. But with José Berríos, Cody Ponce, and Bowden Francis out for the season, Estrada's return is a welcome addition. Kevin Gausman was blitzed for seven runs over two innings in today’s series opener at Wrigley Field, and the Jays don't have anyone lined up for Monday's series opener against the Astros. Estrada could be an option to log the majority of a bullpen game, along with Spencer Miles or Simeon Woods Richardson, if the Jays want to give Shane Bieber a little more time to recover.