Big News from Toronto: Angels Welcome Back, Burr Ready to Roll
The Toronto Blue Jays—and their fans—received some much-needed encouragement this week, as two key players are poised to return to active duty after injury layoffs. Celebratory headlines are rolling in: veteran infielder Andrés Giménez is finally off the injured list and back in the fold, while right-hander Ryan Burr has been cleared to rejoin the mound.
🥎 Andrés Giménez: From Quad Strain to Second-Base Anchor
Giménez, 26, had been sidelined since early May after suffering a right quadriceps strain. This injury forced him onto the 10-day injured list on May 8, a move that disrupted Toronto’s infield alignment. His physical absence also prompted roster changes—most notably, Michael Stefanic was called up from Triple-A Buffalo to temporarily fill Giménez’s second base role.
Throughout his recovery, Giménez remained engaged in on-field treatment, participating in running and fielding drills as early as May 20. Later that month, he began a stint at low-A Dunedin, appearing in four rehab games where he went 2-for-12—an encouraging start indicating fitness and readiness to return.
On June 3, the Blue Jays officially reinstated him to the major-league roster after nearly a month off. Before the injury, Giménez was slashing .195/.273/.305 with three home runs and nine stolen bases in 143 plate appearances, and was being deployed as the team’s primary second baseman—a role that factored into the rearrangement of others like Ernie Clement and Addison Barger following his rebuild.
A more seasoned summary from mid-2025 reveals Giménez not only as a top-tier defensive second baseman with three consecutive Gold Glove Awards (2022–2024) but also a steady presence at the plate. He carried a career .256 average, 54 homers, 243 RBIs, and 109 steals by July 1, 2025. He made his debut with the Mets in 2020 before moving to Cleveland and then being traded to Toronto in December 2024—a deal that sent Spencer Horwitz to Cleveland.
Thankfully, Giménez’s rehab has progressed without setbacks, earning praise from Blue Jays staff. Manager John Schneider began to reintroduce him to baseball activities toward late May, and he resumed minor-league gameplay shortly after . By early June, he’d impressed enough to be activated, although haven’t found his stride yet, going hitless initially in his return games .
Toronto is now gearing up for a full-strength lineup in the upcoming series. Giménez is expected to slot back into second base regularly, reshaping extra-base and outfield positions for others. With multiple rehab games under his belt and defensive readiness assured, Toronto’s backfield is once again at full strength.
⚾ Ryan Burr: From Banged-Up Shoulder to Bullpen Bolt
Another piece of positive news for the Blue Jays comes from the pitching mound, as reliever Ryan Burr is cleared to rejoin the active roster. Burr, a right-hander drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2015 and later signed via trade and minor-league contracts, debuted with the White Sox in 2018 before stints with Philadelphia and Toronto.
He was acquired by the Jays on May 30, 2024, and soon after debuted with Toronto, appearing in 34 games (four starts) by season’s end with a 4.13 ERA and 47 strikeouts. However, the current season began with right shoulder inflammation, pushing him onto the 60-day injured list on April 27, 2025 .
His rehab has taken place at Triple-A, where he completed an outing in early July. Team doctors then gave the green light, and as of July 6, Burr is once again eligible to take the mound. Before being sidelined, he had been penciled into the bullpen depth chart, expected to support late-inning efforts.
With Burr back in the fold, the Jays can ease the burden on a bullpen already stretched by the season’s rigors. Earlier this year, Toronto also dealt with injuries to key relievers Yimi Garcia (ankle) and Erik Swanson (nerve entrapment), making Burr’s return that much more critical .
💪 Outlook: Reinforcements Just in Time
Both Giménez and Burr make their returns well-timed, bringing much-needed boost to Toronto’s roster just as the summer grind hits full stride. Giménez upgrades defensive continuity and adds a speed/power mix, while Burr bolsters bullpen depth.
A previous update in May noted that both had begun limited practices—Giménez running and throwing, Burr pitching at minor-league level—which bodes well for their stamina and performance upon return .
Manager Schneider likely sees them as essential to the team’s push, both for infield stability and relief efficiency. With games growing in significance and every healthy arm and glove mattering, Toronto’s July outlook is brightening.
✅ Final Take
- Andrés Giménez has completed rehab after nearly a month on the 10‑day IL with a right quad strain. He’s played in rehab games, was activated on June 3, and is expected to resume everyday duties at second base.
- Ryan Burr rehabilitated chest at Triple‑A, was cleared after an early July rehab appearance, and rejoined the 26‑man roster on July 6, restoring bullpen depth following a shoulder injury.
Together, they help Toronto reset its lineup and relief corps just as the season approaches its crucial stretch.
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