Blue Jays’ Garcia to pitch first rehab outing for triple-A Buffalo on Saturday

The Toronto Blue Jays are inching closer to getting one of their best relievers back.

Yimi García, who went on the 15-day injured list on June 17 with right elbow ulnar neuritis, is set to join Buffalo on Friday and pitch in his first rehab outing on Saturday, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.

The right-hander left his outing against the Cleveland Guardians on June 16 in the ninth inning due to soreness, but an MRI the same day revealed no structural damage.

García has been Toronto’s best bullpen arm in 2024, posting a 2.57 ERA, a 3-0 record, 37 strikeouts and five saves over 28.0 innings this season. 

He has been a stabilizing force in what has been a shaky season for Blue Jays relievers, as Jordan Romano is recovering from elbow surgery, Erik Swanson has been demoted to triple-A Buffalo and veteran Tim Mayza was designated for assignment.

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Canada’s Denis Shapovalov edges Germany’s Altmaier at Wimbledon

Canada’s Denis Shapovalov is off to the third round of Wimbledon following a hard-fought 7-6 (3), 6-3, 1-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4 win over Germany’s Daniel Altmaier on Thursday.

In an uneven effort, Shapovalov fired nine aces while committing 16 double faults. The 25-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., finished the match with 58 unforced errors, compared to 28 from Altmaier.

Shapovalov will next play 14th seed Ben Shelton of the United States.

Shapovalov is making his seventh appearance at the All England Club, with his best showing to date being a semifinal finish in 2021.

Later Thursday, Leylah Fernandez, of Laval, Que., was set to face former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in a women’s second-round match.

Fernandez, 21, has never made it past the second round at Wimbledon.

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Defenceman Nikita Zadorov signs six-year deal with Boston Bruins

After an impressive campaign with the Vancouver Canucks, Nikita Zadorov is headed to Boston.

The defenceman signed a six-year, $30-million contract with the Boston Bruins on Monday, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The deal carries a $5 million AAV.

Zadorov was acquired by the Canucks in November 2023 from the Calgary Flames in exchange for two draft picks. He subsequently played 54 games with the Canucks, scoring five goals and 14 points while averaging 17:04 TOI. He added another four goals and four assists in 13 playoff games. 

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced Friday that the team had made its best attempt to retain the defenceman but that he had ultimately decided to go elsewhere.

Zadorov, 29, enjoyed his most productive season in 2021-22 while with the Flames, recording 22 points in 72 games while averaging 16:54 TOI. 

The Russian was selected 16th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and played there for two seasons. In addition to the Sabres, Flames and Canucks, Zadorov also spent four seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and one with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

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