Blue Jays: Atkins ‘very optimistic’ about return of Giles
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins is optimistic closer Ken Giles will be back in the Toronto bullpen soon.
Giles has been sidelined since suffering a forearm injury Sunday. But in a video conference Friday with reporters, Atkins appeared encouraged about the pitcher’s status and recovery.
“Ultimately, never a good situation when someone’s injured,” he said. “But all of the scenarios that could’ve come out of the MRI in his visits with medical professionals and experts (were) certainly on the better end of the spectrum.
“Very optimistic that we’ll see him pitching again soon. We’ll have a much better understanding of his timeline in less than two weeks.”
Giles entered the ninth inning of Sunday’s game against the
Tampa Bay Rays with Toronto leading 4-2. But the veteran right-hander surrendered a two-out double, then loaded the bases with two walks.
He went 3-and-1 to the next batter before leaving the game. Tampa Bay tied the score 4-4 in the ninth, then secured a 6-5 victory in 10 innings.
In two-thirds of an inning, Giles allowed a hit, two earned runs and walked three while registering a strikeout.
Atkins said Giles has a mild right forearm strain. Atkins added the pitcher has received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.
PRP therapy involves the injecting of a person’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints.
“We’re confident that we can get past that within this very short season and we’ll see him again soon,” Atkins said.
Atkins registered 23 of Toronto’s 33 saves last season with Toronto, but did miss time with elbow issues.
Atkins also had some good news about outfielder Randal Grichuk. He missed Toronto’s four most recent games with a lower-back injury.
Atkins said Grichuk will be ready to go Tuesday when Toronto (3-4) opens its next series in Atlanta against the Braves.
Atkins said Grichuk would’ve been able to play this weekend if Toronto had games. But the Jays are off after their series with the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed due to a pair of positive novel coronavirus tests.