Blue Jays reinstate reliever Yimi Garcia; Fluharty demoted

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The Blue Jays’ bullpen, which has somehow persevered in the face of being stretched to the limit, was thrown a lifeline well before the first pitch was thrown Wednesday in the third game of a four-game series against the visiting New York Yankees.

Following the recent return from injury by Nick Sandlin, the Jays welcomed back Yimi Garcia, who landed on the injured list on May 24 because of right shoulder impingement.

While Sandlin has done well in low leverage, Garcia is a high-leverage reliever capable of handling the duties of a closer, a role in which Jeff Hoffman has seemingly found his groove following a tough stretch that saw the right-hander get roughed up in the ninth inning of games when the Jays were nursing a lead.

The way Hoffman has responded of late, the way Yariel Rodriguez continues to shine in whatever role he’s asked to embrace, and with Garcia back in the fold, the back end of the Jays’ pen finds itself in the best shape it has been this season.

Prior to his injury, Garcia recorded three saves and six holds, while earning a 3.15 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 20 innings.

When he has been on his game, Garcia has looked just as formidable as Hoffman.

Toronto didn’t require Hoffman in its rout of the Bronx Bombers on Canada Day, but it did turn to the first-year Jays closer in the series opener Monday when Hoffman helped preserve a 5-4 win.

A day earlier, he retired the side on strikeouts in Boston as the Jays took the series from the Boston Red Sox.

Hoffman entered Wednesday with 19 saves, third-highest among AL closers.

In his past 3.0 innings, Hoffman has recorded five strikeouts.

Depending on how the Jays plan to line up their bullpen, the possibility does exist of using Y-Rod in the seventh inning followed by Garcia and Hoffman.

Matchups dictate so much, but the bottom line is the Jays are well positioned in close late-game scenarios knowing three quality relievers, each a right-hander, are now available.

To make room for Garcia on the 26-man active roster, the Jays sent left-hander Mason Fluharty to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

Truth be told, Fluharty needed some kind of a reset, which can only be achieved in the minors.

When he did pitch in relief, Fluharty often did his job on most nights. He did hit a rough stretch of late.

When it became clear Garcia’s return was imminent, the corresponding move, or at least the one that made the most sense, involved Fluharty.

Garcia did not allow an earned run in 14 appearances to begin the season.

One of the most pleasant surprises to emerge from the bullpen has been Braydon Fisher, who entered Wednesday night on a 14.0 inning scoreless streak.