Jays place Giles in IL, Borucki, Font activated

Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles was played on the club’s 10-day injured list on Monday with a right forearm strain. Photo: Getty Images

July 27, 2020

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

A day removed from losing both their starting centre fielder and closer to injuries, the Toronto Blue Jays made a series of roster moves prior to kicking off a four-game set against the defending World Series champions in Washington.

To start, RHP Ken Giles was placed on the 10-day IL, while INF Travis Shaw has left the team to tend to a family emergency. Joining the Blue Jays active roster in Washington is LHP Ryan Borucki and RHP Wilmer Font. To complete Monday's flurry of transactions, OF Billy McKinney was formally added to the club's taxi squad.

Limited to just a pair of starts in 2019, Borucki rejoins Toronto looking for a return to form that saw the now 26-year-old Illinois native earn organizational top pitching prospect honours ahead of the 2018 campaign. Through three spring training appearances before the Grapefruit League schedule was cut short due to Coronavirus concerns, Borucki struck out three and walked two across four frames.

Font rejoins the roster after appearing in 23 games last year, going 2-3 with an ERA of 3.66 over 39 1/3 innings. Toronto's designated opener in 2019, Font will likely support the Blue Jays bullpen in a long-relief role.

Grichuk is currently listed as day-to-day with tightness in his lower back, while Giles will be sidelined for no less than 10 days as he looks to recover from a right forearm strain.

Infielder Bo Bichette was also scratched shortly before Monday's 6:05 p.m. E.T. first pitch. Barring any further developments, he'll be listed as day-to-day with left hamstring tightness.

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