Yimi García’s injury-shortened 2025 (3.86 ERA in 22 games) and diverse pitch mix point to a setup/multi-inning role rather than a lock for saves. Steamer projects 60 games, 3.60 ERA, 4 saves and 11 holds in 2026 — punters should avoid backing him for high-value save props and instead target appearance/holds markets or wait for a clean bill of health before wagering on Toronto’s late-inning stability.
Yimi García’s 2025 season cut short by shoulder impingement
Yimi García, a 35-year-old right-handed reliever, struggled to stay healthy in 2025 MLB season. After landing on the injured list with a right-shoulder impingement at the end of May, he briefly returned on July 2 before being shut down again on July 5 and missing the remainder of the season.
Contract and roster moves
García rejoined the Blue Jays as a free agent in December 2024 on a two-year deal worth $7.5 million per season. He had previously been signed by Toronto ahead of the 2022 season, traded mid-2024, then brought back in free agency.
2025 by the numbers
In the limited time he was active in 2025 García appeared in 22 games, posting a 3.86 ERA with 3 saves and 6 holds. He has accumulated 58 holds with Toronto and 90 holds in his major-league career.
Injury timeline
García went on the IL at the end of May with shoulder impingement, briefly returned in early July, then was placed back on the IL and did not pitch the rest of the season — a key factor for his role and availability in 2026.
Pitch mix and effectiveness
García uses an unusually broad arsenal for a reliever. In 2024 his pitch distribution was roughly: Four-seamer: 37.3% (about 96.5 mph) Curve: 19.5% Sinker: 15.8% (about 95.8 mph) Sweeper: 13.1% Changeup: 9.5% Slider: 4.7% By wOBA, the sweeper was his most effective pitch in 2024; in 2025 the curve rated best.
Platoon and career splits
In 2025 García was similarly effective against lefties (.162/.279/.270) and righties (.179/.304/.256). Over his career he’s generally performed better against right-handed hitters (career OPS vs RHB around .620, vs .719 overall against LHB).
Projections and betting implications
Steamer projects García for 60 games in 2026 with a 3.60 ERA, roughly 4 saves and 11 holds. Given his recent shoulder issues and projection as a high-usage setup option rather than a designated closer, bettors should be cautious:
- Avoid high-stakes save-prop bets on García until he demonstrates sustained health and late-inning usage.
- Consider appearance/holds markets or lower-risk bullpen props that reward frequency rather than saves.
- Monitor early-season usage patterns and health reports; if Toronto leans on him in true closing situations, his save value can be revisited.
What to watch entering 2026
Key items for fantasy managers and bettors: offseason health updates, Spring Training workload, how the Jays deploy their late-inning staff, and whether García’s pitch selection returns to the 2024 pattern that produced his better outcomes.
Yimi García is a 35-year-old, right-handed relief pitcher. The Blue Jays signed him to a two-year contract before the 2022 season, but then traded him to the Mariners in July of 2024, getting Jacob Sharp, a minor league catcher who hit .161/.271/.206 for the Fisher Cats last year, and Jonatan Clase, who we talked about [...]
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