Blue Jays activate Springer, place Ryu on IL, option Tellez

Outfielder George Springer has been activated by the Toronto Blue Jays. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays/Twitter

April 28, 2021

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

In advance of their series finale against Washington, the Toronto Blue Jays have activated OF George Springer (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and recalled LHP Travis Bergen from the club's alternative training site.

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu was placed on the 10-day injured list with a glute strain, and 1B/DH Rowdy Tellez has been optioned out in corresponding roster moves.

Toronto's No. 1 free-agent target this past offseason, Springer will make his 2021 debut at the top of the Blue Jays lineup on Wednesday night in Dunedin. Through parts of seven major league seasons with the Houston Astros, the right-handed product of New Britain, Conn., has slashed .270/.361/.491 with 324 base hits across 795 games dating back to his rookie campaign in 2014.

Bergen rejoins the club after being called up last week. Through 29 MLB contests, the 6-foot-4 southpaw has posted an ERA of 4.82 with 29 strikeouts and 18 walks in 28 innings.

The Blue Jays used seven relievers in Tuesday night's 9-5 win over the Nationals, so Bergen's addition will provide Blue Jays' manager Charlie Montoyo with some added length out of the bullpen, if needed.

Ryu was pulled in the fourth inning of Sunday's 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays with an apparent lower-body injury. ESPN KBO insider Daniel Kim captured footage of Ryu appearing to have some discomfort ahead of Sunday's appearance. Still, the Blue Jays' ace fired off 3 2/3 innings of scoreless ball prior to being removed. Ryu heads to the IL, having allowed just eight earned runs over his 27 2/3 innings in 2021.

Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Montoyo said that the club only expects the left-hander to miss one scheduled start. With his stint retroactive to April 26, Ryu will be eligible to return to the active roster on Saturday, May 8.

Losing ground to players that have more defensive versatility, Rowdy Tellez' departure from the active roster comes as a bit of a surprise given the fact that Toronto's DH/1B has hit .286 with a home run and a pair of doubles over his last 10 games. The move is a likely byproduct of Toronto's immediate need for arms and one would expect his demotion to be relatively short-lived.

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