Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Moved to bullpen for Saturday
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Francis will be available out of the bullpen Saturday against the Rockies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Francis was originally listed as Toronto's starter for Saturday's contest, but the Jays will instead promote Yariel Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo to make his MLB debut. It's unclear whether or not Francis' move to the bullpen will be permanent, but after surrendering 12 earned runs through 8.1 innings across his first two starts, he may return to a multi-inning relief role if Rodriguez proves to be an effective big-league starter.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Chased after three innings
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Francis (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out five.
Frances retired seven of his first eight batters Sunday -- an encouraging sign after serving up seven runs in his 2024 debut -- but quickly had his start flipped upside down in the third. He gave up a hit and three walks before Giancarlo Stanton cleared the bases with a grand slam as part of the five-run inning. The Blue Jays selected the contract of veteran righty Paolo Espino (38 starts spanning 2021-2022) from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, adding another arm who could, in theory, take Francis' spot in the rotation. If a move isn't made, expect Francis to toe the rubber during next weekend's homestand against the Rockies.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Shelled in first career start
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Francis (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Astros, going 5.1 innings and allowing seven runs on 10 hits and a walk. He struck out seven.
Francis made his 22nd MLB appearance Monday. However, the outing marked his first start. The 28-year-old's lack of starting experience showed, as he served up a two-run homer to Kyle Tucker and a solo home run to Yainer Diaz in the first inning before being tagged by Jeremy Pena for a solo shot in the second frame. Despite the awful 2024 debut, fantasy managers should hold some level of hope for Francis if he makes another trip around the rotation considering his 1.73 ERA over 36.1 innings in 2023. While it's certainly possible the Blue Jays look elsewhere to fill in for Alek Manoah (shoulder), Francis is tentatively scheduled to face the Yankees on Sunday.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Captures rotation spot
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Francis was informed Thursday that he has made the Blue Jays' rotation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
There didn't seem to be much doubt that Francis would open the year in the rotation after he held a 3.38 ERA and 15:4 K:BB over 18.2 innings during Grapefruit League play. He's likely to pitch at some point during the season-opening, four-game series against Tampa Bay. With Alek Manoah's (shoulder) situation still very much up in the air, Francis will have a chance to prove he should remain in the rotation for a while.
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Cruises through six innings
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Francis kept rolling Thursday in his Grapefruit League outing versus the Twins, yielding just one unearned run over six innings. He struck out two.
The Twins plated a single run in the third inning following an Eduardo Escobar error, but that's the only tally they managed on the day. Francis needed only 67 pitches to get through his six frames, permitting just four singles and no walks. The right-hander lowered his spring ERA to 1.93, and he holds a 12:2 K:BB over 14 innings. With Alek Manoah (shoulder) all but certain to open the season on the injured list, Francis appears close to locking up the fifth spot in Toronto's rotation, if he hasn't done so already.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Fans five in Thursday's start
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Francis gave up one run on three hits and a walk over 3.2 innings while striking out five in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.
The 27-year-old right-hander appears to be in the driver's seat for the Blue Jays' fifth starter role, with Alek Manoah (shoulder) looking increasingly doubtful for Opening Day. Francis faced a Detroit lineup that included most of its likely regulars and struggled early, plunking Mark Canha with the bases loaded in the first inning to bring home Parker Meadows. He settled down after coaxing a double play out of Carson Kelly to escape the frame, however, eventually leaving the mound having thrown 55 pitches (37 strikes). Through eight innings this spring, Francis has a 10:2 K:BB and hasn't given up a homer.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Sharp relief outing Saturday
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Francis struck out three and walked one over 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Entering the game to begin the fifth inning, Francis faced his toughest challenge in the sixth but breezed through the top of the Atlanta order, striking out Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia before getting Travis d'Arnaud to fly out. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 30 of 42 pitches for strikes before exiting, and with Alek Manoah (shoulder) looking questionable for Opening Day, Francis may have the inside track on a rotation spot to begin the regular season.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Could open season in rotation
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Francis could be the favorite to step into the fifth starter role for the Blue Jays if Alek Manoah (shoulder) isn't ready for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Manoah was viewed as the likely No. 5 starter despite his 2023 struggles, but a poor start to the spring and a bout of shoulder soreness could force the Jays to re-evaluate. Francis posted strong numbers over 20 relief appearances last season and was mainly a starting pitcher in the minors, but it's not yet clear if his stuff will hold up over longer outings against big-league hitters. Should Francis also falter in camp, it could open the door for Mitch White or even top prospect Ricky Tiedemann (hamstring) to begin the campaign in the rotation.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Being built up as starter
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The Blue Jays are building up Francis to serve as a starter, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The vast majority of Francis' minor-league appearances have come as a starter, though he has yet to begin a game on the mound through 21 MLB appearances. Francis holds an impressive 1.70 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through 37 career big-league frames, but even if he has a solid spring as a starter, he would need some attrition ahead of him to earn a spot at the back of Toronto's rotation.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Optioned to Triple-A
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Francis was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
This is all about adding a fresh arm to the Blue Jays bullpen after Francis pitched the last two days. His performance certainly didn't warrant a demotion, as he's posted a 1.73 ERA in 20 appearances this season.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Earns three-inning save
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Francis picked up a save Sunday against the Reds. He allowed one run on two hits and zero walks while striking out four over three innings.
With the Blue Jays up big, Francis was called upon to pitch the final three frames, earning his first career save in the process. Though working mostly in low-leverage situations, the reliever has been effective when called upon with a 2.03 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 26.2 innings.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Recalled from Buffalo
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Toronto recalled Francis from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.
He is replacing Trevor Richards, who landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday because of neck inflammation. Francis has impressed in limited action this season at the major-league level, boasting a 2.30 ERA and 14:4 K:BB through 15.2 innings.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Optioned to Buffalo
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The Blue Jays optioned Francis to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
With Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) returning from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Francis will head back to the minors to clear a spot on Toronto's roster. The 27-year-old righty has been impressive this season to the tune of a 2.30 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 15.2 innings out of the bullpen and has a very good chance at returning to the Jays later this summer.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Recalled from Triple-A
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Francis was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
The 27-year-old righty has a 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 13.2 innings across six relief appearances this season. He had been working as a starter at Triple-A but should operate in low-leverage situations while up with the big club.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Heads back to Triple-A
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The Blue Jays optioned Francis to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
Both Francis and utility man Ernie Clement were sent down by the Blue Jays, with corresponding moves slated to come later this week. Francis has pitched well in his brief time with the big club this season, collecting a 2.63 ERA and 12:4 K:BB over 13.2 relief innings.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Collects first big-league win
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Francis (1-0) was credited with the win in Wednesday's 6-1 victory over the Giants, allowing one run on four hits over four innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.
The 27-year-old rookie took the mound in the fourth inning with the Jays ahead 5-0, after Trevor Richards had spun three shutout frames, and aside from an Austin Slater solo shot, Francis was effective over 47 pitches (32 strikes) en route to his first career win in the majors. The right-hander has worked multiple innings in four of his five MLB appearances, often serving as the back half of a tandem with Richards, and Francis has delivered a 2.92 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through 12.1 innings. The role does afford him some fantasy upside as a source of further wins, but he's already been optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo twice since making his season debut in early June as Toronto juggles its pitching staff while trying to cover the fifth spot in its rotation.
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Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Back in Toronto
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The Blue Jays recalled Francis from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.
With Adam Cimber (shoulder) landing on the 15-day IL on Saturday, Francis will come up from the minors to take Cimber's spot in Toronto's bullpen. The 27-year-old righty has appeared in three games for the Jays this season, surrendering three earned runs over 7.1 frames while striking out seven batters.
