Francis (forearm) threw a bullpen session Monday and is slated to throw two simulated innings Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Barring any sort of setback, Francis is expected to embark on a rehab assignment shortly after his simulated game Thursday. He will serve as a starter while on his assignment, but he will likely be limited to a long relief role once he returns to the Blue Jays. The 28-year-old righty posted an 8.59 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 14.2 innings before landing on the injured list April 25.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Shelved with forearm injury
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The Blue Jays placed Francis on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right forearm extensor tendinitis.
Since making his last start April 7, Francis has made his subsequent three appearances as a piggyback reliever behind starter Yariel Rodriguez. Francis scooped up wins in 2.1- and two-inning outings April 13 and 19, but he didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Royals after tossing two scoreless frames once Rodriguez exited the contest. Though he didn't appear to be nursing any sort of injury during the relief outing, Francis was apparently diagnosed with the forearm issue when he was evaluated afterward. He won't be eligible to rejoin Toronto until May 10 after landing on the IL.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Collects win in relief
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Francis (2-2) picked up the win Friday against the Padres, allowing one hit and one walk over two scoreless relief innings. He struck out two.
After a brutal start to the season in the rotation, Francis has looked much more comfortable back in a long-relief role and has been credited with wins in back-to-back appearances while piggybacking with Yariel Rodriguez. Francis still carries an awful 9.95 ERA and 1.82 WHIP through 12.2 innings, but his 17:7 K:BB highlights his potential if he can get his control and command issues sorted out.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Moved to bullpen for Saturday
Rotowire
Francis will be available out of the bullpen Saturday against the Rockies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Francis was originally listed as Toronto's starter for Saturday's contest, but the Jays will instead promote Yariel Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo to make his MLB debut. It's unclear whether or not Francis' move to the bullpen will be permanent, but after surrendering 12 earned runs through 8.1 innings across his first two starts, he may return to a multi-inning relief role if Rodriguez proves to be an effective big-league starter.
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Chased after three innings
Rotowire
Francis (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out five.
Frances retired seven of his first eight batters Sunday -- an encouraging sign after serving up seven runs in his 2024 debut -- but quickly had his start flipped upside down in the third. He gave up a hit and three walks before Giancarlo Stanton cleared the bases with a grand slam as part of the five-run inning. The Blue Jays selected the contract of veteran righty Paolo Espino (38 starts spanning 2021-2022) from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, adding another arm who could, in theory, take Francis' spot in the rotation. If a move isn't made, expect Francis to toe the rubber during next weekend's homestand against the Rockies.
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Shelled in first career start
Rotowire
Francis (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Astros, going 5.1 innings and allowing seven runs on 10 hits and a walk. He struck out seven.
Francis made his 22nd MLB appearance Monday. However, the outing marked his first start. The 28-year-old's lack of starting experience showed, as he served up a two-run homer to Kyle Tucker and a solo home run to Yainer Diaz in the first inning before being tagged by Jeremy Pena for a solo shot in the second frame. Despite the awful 2024 debut, fantasy managers should hold some level of hope for Francis if he makes another trip around the rotation considering his 1.73 ERA over 36.1 innings in 2023. While it's certainly possible the Blue Jays look elsewhere to fill in for Alek Manoah (shoulder), Francis is tentatively scheduled to face the Yankees on Sunday.
Francis was informed Thursday that he has made the Blue Jays' rotation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
There didn't seem to be much doubt that Francis would open the year in the rotation after he held a 3.38 ERA and 15:4 K:BB over 18.2 innings during Grapefruit League play. He's likely to pitch at some point during the season-opening, four-game series against Tampa Bay. With Alek Manoah's (shoulder) situation still very much up in the air, Francis will have a chance to prove he should remain in the rotation for a while.
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Cruises through six innings
Rotowire
Francis kept rolling Thursday in his Grapefruit League outing versus the Twins, yielding just one unearned run over six innings. He struck out two.
The Twins plated a single run in the third inning following an Eduardo Escobar error, but that's the only tally they managed on the day. Francis needed only 67 pitches to get through his six frames, permitting just four singles and no walks. The right-hander lowered his spring ERA to 1.93, and he holds a 12:2 K:BB over 14 innings. With Alek Manoah (shoulder) all but certain to open the season on the injured list, Francis appears close to locking up the fifth spot in Toronto's rotation, if he hasn't done so already.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Fans five in Thursday's start
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Francis gave up one run on three hits and a walk over 3.2 innings while striking out five in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.
The 27-year-old right-hander appears to be in the driver's seat for the Blue Jays' fifth starter role, with Alek Manoah (shoulder) looking increasingly doubtful for Opening Day. Francis faced a Detroit lineup that included most of its likely regulars and struggled early, plunking Mark Canha with the bases loaded in the first inning to bring home Parker Meadows. He settled down after coaxing a double play out of Carson Kelly to escape the frame, however, eventually leaving the mound having thrown 55 pitches (37 strikes). Through eight innings this spring, Francis has a 10:2 K:BB and hasn't given up a homer.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Sharp relief outing Saturday
Rotowire
Francis struck out three and walked one over 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Entering the game to begin the fifth inning, Francis faced his toughest challenge in the sixth but breezed through the top of the Atlanta order, striking out Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia before getting Travis d'Arnaud to fly out. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 30 of 42 pitches for strikes before exiting, and with Alek Manoah (shoulder) looking questionable for Opening Day, Francis may have the inside track on a rotation spot to begin the regular season.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Could open season in rotation
Rotowire
Francis could be the favorite to step into the fifth starter role for the Blue Jays if Alek Manoah (shoulder) isn't ready for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Manoah was viewed as the likely No. 5 starter despite his 2023 struggles, but a poor start to the spring and a bout of shoulder soreness could force the Jays to re-evaluate. Francis posted strong numbers over 20 relief appearances last season and was mainly a starting pitcher in the minors, but it's not yet clear if his stuff will hold up over longer outings against big-league hitters. Should Francis also falter in camp, it could open the door for Mitch White or even top prospect Ricky Tiedemann (hamstring) to begin the campaign in the rotation.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Being built up as starter
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The Blue Jays are building up Francis to serve as a starter, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The vast majority of Francis' minor-league appearances have come as a starter, though he has yet to begin a game on the mound through 21 MLB appearances. Francis holds an impressive 1.70 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through 37 career big-league frames, but even if he has a solid spring as a starter, he would need some attrition ahead of him to earn a spot at the back of Toronto's rotation.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Francis was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
This is all about adding a fresh arm to the Blue Jays bullpen after Francis pitched the last two days. His performance certainly didn't warrant a demotion, as he's posted a 1.73 ERA in 20 appearances this season.
