Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Works in relief of Rodriguez
Rotowire
Francis tossed 3.2 innings out of the bullpen in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Guardians, giving up two unearned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four.
Francis has now made each of his last three appearances out of the bullpen, but he's been utilized as a bulk reliever on two of those occasions. Heading into Friday's game, the Blue Jays likely didn't plan on using Francis quite as heavily, but he was pressed into extended action after starter Yariel Rodriguez gave up five runs (four earned) while recording just four outs in his return to the rotation following a seven-week stay on the injured list. Before Rodriguez landed on the shelf in late April, he and Francis had been deployed as tandem starters, and it's possible that manager John Schneider could proceed with that arrangement when Rodriguez's next turn through the rotation comes up Wednesday in Boston. Considering Rodriguez built up to four innings and 79 pitches during his rehab assignment prior to coming off the IL, he should be expected to work deeper into Wednesday's game than he did Friday.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Nabs win as bulk reliever
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Francis (3-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing four hits over four scoreless relief innings in a 5-0 victory over the Guardians. He struck out two without walking a batter.
The right-hander was the fourth Toronto pitcher into the game, but he handled the bulk-relief role with aplomb, firing 44 of 68 pitches for strikes. Francis has tossed eight scoreless innings over his last two appearances, but with Yariel Rodriguez (back) close to coming off the 15-day injured list, Francis likely won't be in line for a full-time appointment to the rotation. Since a tough beginning to the season as a starter, Francis has posted a 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB through 17.2 innings over his last six outings sandwiched around an IL stint of his own due to forearm tendinitis.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Likely to pitch Saturday
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Francis is a candidate to start or serve in a bulk relief role Saturday against the Guardians, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The Blue Jays are declining to name a starter at this point, but Francis is likely to be their primary pitcher, whether it's as a traditional starter or a bulk reliever. Francis went four scoreless innings in a start his last time out but holds a 7.36 ERA over seven appearances (three starts) this season.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Turns in scoreless appearance
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Francis allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three over four shutout innings in a no-decision in Sunday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Athletics.
Francis made his first start since April 7, taking over the rotation spot that previously belonged to the injured Alek Manoah (elbow). Since Francis hadn't worked more than 3.2 innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors since early April, the Blue Jays monitored his workload carefully Sunday, but he needed just 49 pitches to record 12 outs before exiting the contest. Francis should get another start against the Guardians this upcoming weekend, but it's unclear if the Blue Jays plan to have him handle a traditional starter's workload anytime soon. Toronto could soon return Yariel Rodriguez (back) from the injured list, and the team had previously deployed Rodriguez and Francis as piggyback starters earlier in the season to limit their pitch counts with the aim of increasing both pitchers' overall effectiveness.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Starting Sunday
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Francis will start Sunday's game against the Athletics, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Francis will make his first start since being activated from the 15-day IL on Tuesday. The 28-year-old surrendered four runs and tossed 57 pitches in long relief Tuesday and has yielded 12 runs over 8.1 innings during his only two starts this season. However, he'll have the luxury of facing an Athletics lineup that is scoring just 3.6 runs per game in 2024.
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Struggles in long relief
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Francis allowed four runs on five hits and no walks with two strikeouts across 3.1 innings against the Orioles on Tuesday.
Francis was activated from the 15-day IL leading up to the contest and was expected to follow Trevor Richards in bulk relief. Instead, he was the third Blue Jays pitcher to take the mound, taking over for Genesis Cabrera midway through the third inning. Frances was tormented by Ryan Mountcastle, surrendering a three-run home run and a two-run home run to the Orioles' first baseman. While Toronto is hoping for Francis to take the fifth rotation spot vacated by Alek Manoah (elbow), Francis didn't do much to prove that he's worthy of the role Tuesday.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Activated from injured list
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The Blue Jays activated Francis (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Francis is in line for bulk-relief duties in Tuesday's game against the Orioles, following opener Trevor Richards. The right-hander has been out since late April with forearm tendinitis, having posted a 8.59 ERA and 17:7 K:BB in 14.2 innings across two starts and three relief appearances before being sidelined.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Likely to pitch Tuesday
Rotowire
Francis (forearm) is likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list and pitch in some capacity Tuesday versus the Orioles, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Whether Francis is deployed as a traditional starter or bulk reliever isn't yet clear, but he appears set to operate as the Blue Jays' primary pitcher. He's expected to be available to pitch four innings and/or 60 pitches. Francis, who has been out since late April with forearm tendinitis, turned in an 8.59 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB in 14.2 innings across two starts and three extended relief appearances before landing on the shelf.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Sharp in latest rehab outing
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Francis (forearm) struck out five over 3.2 innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. He gave up one unearned run on one hit and one walk.
Francis made what was likely the fourth and final appearance of his rehab assignment and should be ready to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend. Shortly before he was shelved with right forearm extensor tendinitis in late April, Francis had been working out of the bullpen as a tandem starter with Yariel Rodriguez (back), but with Rodriguez joining Francis on the IL soon thereafter, Alek Manoah got a chance to reclaim the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Manoah exited his latest start Wednesday with right elbow discomfort, and if he ends up requiring an IL stint of his own, Francis could re-emerge as a rotation option in his return to the Blue Jays.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Could re-enter rotation
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Francis (forearm) is one of the options the Blue Jays are considering as the rotation replacement for Alek Manoah (elbow), Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Francis struck out five while yielding one unearned run over 3.2 innings with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday in what was likely his final rehab appearance. The righty has been sidelined since late April with forearm tendinitis. Francis holds a 12.96 ERA in two starts and 2.84 ERA in three relief appearances with the Jays this season. Toronto is also considering a bullpen game for Manoah's next turn, which comes up early next week.
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: One more rehab appearance
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Francis (forearm) will make what's expected to be his final rehab appearance with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Francis has pitched well in his first three rehab outings, yielding three runs (two earned) with a 6:1 K:BB over 6.2 frames. He should be slated for a long-relief job once he's activated.
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Could be back this weekend
Rotowire
Francis (forearm) will throw about 45 pitches for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday in what's expected to be his final rehab appearance, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The 28-year-old right-hander has looked sharp in his first two rehab outings, throwing 4.1 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits with a 5:1 K:BB. Francis began the season in the Blue Jays rotation, but he should fill a long-relief role in the big-league bullpen when he returns.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Another rehab outing on tap
Rotowire
Francis (forearm) is scheduled to make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Francis covered two scoreless innings for Buffalo in his first rehab appearance Tuesday. The 28-year-old righty-hander will likely fill a long-relief role upon his return, so he could be deemed ready for activation following Saturday's outing.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Looks good in rehab outing
Rotowire
Francis (forearm) struck out four batters and allowed only one hit over two scoreless innings Tuesday in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo.
The right-hander was shut down in late April due to forearm tendinitis, but Francis' sharp rehab outing suggests he's just about ready to rejoin the big-league staff. Alek Manoah is coming off a strong start as the fifth starter, so Francis will likely be ticketed for long relief when he returns. After a couple rough outings in the rotation to begin the season, Francis has 2.84 ERA and 5:3 K:BB in 6.1 relief innings for the Blue Jays.
