Notes: Chatwood back to bolster 'pen

The Blue Jays activated reliever Tyler Chatwood from the 10-day injured list prior to Friday’s opener against the Rays at Tropicana Field, the first step in getting their bullpen back to full health.

Dealing with multiple injuries, particularly at the back of the bullpen, the Blue Jays have found ways to make it work. It hasn’t come from the expected arms, but this group enters the weekend series with a 2.30 bullpen ERA, the second-best mark in baseball to the Yankees (2.19).

Chatwood, who was out with a right triceps strain, should slide right back into a high-leverage role given the absence of Jordan Romano (right ulnar neuritis), who could return Saturday, and Julian Merryweather (left oblique strain). Left-hander Anthony Kay was optioned to the alternate training site in Dunedin, Fla., in a corresponding move, but Kay will continue to represent rotation depth and should have multiple opportunities throughout the season.

Chatwood was called on right away, pitching a scoreless sixth inning Friday in Toronto's 5-3 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field.

With so many arms on the IL, relievers have stepped into bigger roles and thrived. Rafael Dolis, Ryan Borucki, David Phelps and Tim Mayza have been the constants, at least when it comes to one- or two-inning arms. Mayza has opened the season with seven scoreless appearances and likes what he has seen from the moving pieces around him.

“We’ve been able to mesh and put the pieces together," Mayza said. "Hopefully those guys will rejoin us soon and we’ll get clicking again. But overall, the bullpen has meshed great, and it’s a really great group of guys down there who are working hard and going out to compete no matter what inning they’re asked to make an appearance in.”

This unit has needed to uncover some gems along the way, of course. Anthony Castro has gone from waiver claim to one of Charlie Montoyo’s most trusted relievers, even getting the save in Wednesday’s win over the Red Sox. The Blue Jays’ bullpen will see many more names come and go through the season, but it is hitting all the right notes early.

Roark added to family medical emergency list
The Blue Jays placed right-hander Tanner Roark on the family medical emergency list prior to Friday’s opener and recalled left-hander Travis Bergen.

Bergen made one relief appearance with the Blue Jays in 2020, but his path has been a winding one. Bergen was taken in the 2018 Rule 5 Draft by the Giants, then returned to the Blue Jays. Last season, he was dealt to the D-backs for Robbie Ray, but he came back to Toronto this year in a deal during Spring Training. In camp, Bergen struck out 11 hitters over 5 2/3 innings.

Weekend return remains possible for Springer
George Springer’s intrasquad game was to take place during Toronto's game against the Rays on Friday night, but the big test for the center fielder will come on Saturday, when the club evaluates how he bounces back physically. It’s possible Springer makes his Blue Jays debut this weekend, with Montoyo suggesting that Sunday is a possibility because it would give Springer a built-in off-day on Monday.

Hernández returns to team after positive COVID-19 test
Outfielder Teoscar Hernández passed his final intake tests and was deemed safe to re-enter the Blue Jays’ environment, so he was at the club’s complex in Dunedin getting some work in on Friday. The club still needs to evaluate how much time Hernández will need to get to 100 percent physically, but this is good news for the organization after Hernández tested positive on April 13.