Report: Blue Jays set to promote Lázaro Estrada

Cody Ponce left Monday’s game with what was called “knee discomfort”, let’s hope it’s nothing serious. That said, it’s expected that Ponce will be placed on the injured list at some point on Tuesday. Additionally, the Blue Jays’ bullpen had to cover numerous innings in Monday’s game, so  they could make a handful of moves to get some fresh arms in the bullpen for Tuesday’s game.

As for Estrada, the 26-year-old righty spent parts of his first five seasons in the lower minors before breaking out in 2024. That season saw him pitch 98.1 innings, with a 3.29 ERA and 3.31 FIP between Single-A, High-A, and Double-A. Beginning the 2025 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, he posted a 4.75 ERA and 4.17 FIP in 60.2 innings from the beginning of the season until the start of July.

Despite the ERA, the Blue Jays called him up to the big leagues, where he made his debut against the Los Angeles Angels on July 5th. Over four innings of work, he struck out four and gave up one earned run before being sent back down. Ahead of a doubleheader at the end of the month, Estrada was called up for a second time.

The start of his second outing was solid, striking out Coby Mayo, then striking out two in a scoreless fourth and another two in a scoreless fifth. In the sixth, the Baltimore Orioles got the Estrada, with their first two runners reaching on a hit by pitch before the inning spiraled out of control. Overall, he threw three and one-third innings with six strikeouts and six earned runs.

Estrada threw 11.1 innings over six outings during Spring Training, finishing with a 4.76 ERA and 6.92. His start with the Bisons on Friday went better, striking out three over two and two-third scoreless innings, with the lone blemish being a walk.

The Cuban right-handed pitcher will give the Blue Jays some length out of the bullpen, whether that’s on Tuesday with a tired bullpen or in the spot of Ponce the next time he was set to pitch.