Kirby Yates likely to undergo Tommy John surgery; George Springer has oblique strain

The Blue Jays received some unwelcome injury news Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic was among those to report. Right-handed reliever Kirby Yates will likely undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire season, outfielder George Springer has a Grade 2 oblique strain and lefty Robbie Ray suffered a bruised elbow.

An elite end-of-game option with the Padres from 2018-19, Yates threw 4 1/3 innings last season as he dealt with elbow issues. That didn’t stop the Blue Jays from taking a one-year, $5.5 million chance on him in free agency this past offseason, but the would-be closer was diagnosed with a flexor strain on Monday. It now looks as if Yates might never pitch for Toronto, which could lean on the likes of Jordan Romano, David Phelps, Rafael Dolis and Tyler Chatwood for saves in his absence.

The news on Springer and Ray also comes off as alarming, although neither injury appears especially serious. Toronto is hopeful that Springer, a former Astros standout who signed a whopping six-year, $150 million guarantee in the offseason, will be ready for Opening Day. Likewise, the Jays could have Ray ready for the start of the season. Toronto re-signed him to a one-year, $8 million pact in free agency.