The Toronto Blue Jays will have a new look to kick off the second half of the season.
The team announced shortstop Bo Bichette and reliever Yimi Garcia will return from injuries and be active Friday night against the Detroit Tigers, while reliever Erik Swanson has been recalled from triple-A Buffalo,
Reliever Zach Pop, a native of Brampton, Ont., has been optioned to Buffalo.
Bichette will start and bat fifth Friday. He missed the four games before the All-Star break with right calf soreness.
The two-time All-Star is slashing .222/.275/.321 with four homers and 30 RBIs this season.
Garcia, Toronto’s best reliever this season, rejoins the team after making a couple of rehab appearances with Buffalo. He has been out since mid-June with right elbow ulnar neuritis.
Garcia is 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA, 37 strikeouts and seven walks this year.
Swanson has struggled this year after being one of Toronto’s most trusted bullpen arms last season. He was optioned to Buffalo on May 28 after opening the year with a 9.22 ERA in 13.2 innings.
With Buffalo, Swanson has an 11.34 ERA in 16.2 innings. He has 17 strikeouts and 13 walks in triple-A.
The Blue Jays (44-52) are 9.5 games back of a wild-card spot.
