Blue Jays activate Andrés Giménez from IL, designate Buddy Kennedy for assignment

It’s a long-awaited return for Giménez, who hasn’t played since injuring his left ankle on July 4. He participated in five triple-A rehab games earlier this month, going 7-f0r-18 (.389) with three runs scored and one RBI, striking out five times without earning a walk. Additionally, he stole one base in his only attempt.

Despite a red-hot start, Giménez’s overall offensive results have been poor during his first season since arriving via an off-season trade from the Cleveland Guardians. In 61 games, the left-handed-hitting infielder owns five home runs, 23 RBIs and a .218/.300/.322 slash line, accounting for a 78 wRC+ (100 league average).

But he’s still been a valuable performer through his elite-level defence, placing tied for second with former Blue Jay Marcus Semien in outs above average (seven) among qualified major league second basemen (min. 500 innings). He’s also tied for second in fielding run value (five) and tied for fifth in defensive runs saved (five).

Kennedy joined the Blue Jays organization as a minor-league free agent in July, but only wound up playing in a pair of games during the club’s previous road trip through Colorado and Los Angeles. He went 1-for-5 with a run scored and a walk while striking out once in that span.

Manager John Schneider also provided an injury update on George Springer, who’s currently in Toronto and participating in baseball activities (live BP, running, fielding), but has yet to clear MLB’s concussion protocol. Once cleared, the veteran outfielder will head to triple-A Buffalo to begin a rehab assignment.

Other injury notes: Alek Manoah will make a triple-A rehab start on Wednesday with the Bisons, while Shane Bieber will make possibly his final rehab outing on Friday.