Report: Merryweather Working Back From Oblique Setbacks

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Blue Jays
By Mitch Bannon | Last updated 8/9/21

Don't write him off just yet.

After a four-month absence and multiple injury setbacks, Blue Jays' flamethrower Julian Merryweather could be "on his way back," TSN's Scott Mitchell reports.

Merryweather has pitched just 4.1 innings this season, spending most of 2021 on the 60-day Injured List with an oblique strain. Merryweather will still need some time, Mitchell tweeted, but if all goes well the righty could progress to rehab stints.

“This next week’s going to be a big one," Mitchell reports Merryweather said. "If I come out feeling really good, that’s going to be a huge sign that I’m pretty much game ready.”

In his brief appearance with the Jays this season, Merryweather quickly earned leverage duties in Charlie Montoyo's pen. In his 4.1 frames of work, Merryweather struck out seven, walked just one, and registered two saves. The combination of high-90s fastball and low-80s changeup made the right-hander nearly untouchable during his short stint out of the pen.

In late July, Montoyo was asked about Merryweather's rehab progress and said he was not close, overcoming ups and downs on his path back.

Since Merryweather factored into Toronto's early-season bullpen dominance, the unit has been completely overhauled. Every pitcher on Toronto's Opening Day roster has been on the IL, optioned, or released and sub-par performance dogged Blue Jay relievers for much of the season.

However, with Merryweather reportedly working back and Nate Pearson throwing sim games, per team sources, Toronto's new pen could receive further leverage injections for the final weeks of the season.

H/T Scott Mitchell, TSN

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Blue Jays and was syndicated with permission.

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