A.J. COLE NEWS

Heads overseas Cole signed a one-year, $800,000 contract Tuesday with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Yahoo Sports Japan reports.

Impact The uncertainty of the 2022 MLB season due to the ongoing lockout along with the fact that Cole likely wouldn't fetch anything more than a minor-league deal in free agency presumably weighed heavily into his decision to head to Japan, where he'll receive a more lucrative guaranteed deal. The 29-year-old was outrighted off the Blue Jays' 40-man roster in September after providing a 2.59 ERA and 27:10 K:BB across 31.1 innings out of the Toronto bullpen the past two seasons.

DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated and outrighted Cole (oblique) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday and outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo.

Impact Cole had been out since late May with a strained oblique. He's been with Triple-A Buffalo on a rehab assignment for over two weeks and will now remain there as a regular member of the team, though his 3.14 major-league ERA over the last three years suggests the Blue Jays could add him back to the 40-man roster if they need another arm down the stretch.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ryu, Blue Jays to take on Taillon, Yankees

The Blue Jays will start Hyun Jin Ryu on Monday while the Yankees are expected to counter with Jameson Taillon

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Irvin expected to start for the Athletics against Blue Jays

The Athletics will start Cole Irvin on Sunday while the Blue Jays are expected to counter with Robbie Ray

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blackburn, Athletics to take on Berrios, Blue Jays

The Blue Jays will send Jose Berrios to the mound Saturday and the Athletics plan to give Paul Blackburn the start

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Manoah scheduled to start as Toronto hosts Oakland

The Athletics will start Sean Manaea on Friday while the Blue Jays are expected to counter with Alek Manoah

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Harvey, Orioles to take on Matz, Blue Jays

The Blue Jays will roll out Steven Matz to the mound Wednesday and the Orioles plan to give Matt Harvey the start

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ellis expected to start for the Orioles against Blue Jays

The Orioles will start Chris Ellis on Monday and the Blue Jays are expected to counter with Robbie Ray

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Urena scheduled to start as Detroit hosts Toronto

The Blue Jays will start Alek Manoah on Saturday while the Tigers are expected to counter with Jose Urena

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Manning scheduled to start as Detroit hosts Toronto

The Tigers will send Matt Manning to the mound Friday and the Blue Jays will give Steven Matz the start

AUGUST 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ryu expected to start as Toronto hosts Chicago

The White Sox will start Carlos Rodon on Thursday and the Blue Jays are expected to counter with Hyun Jin Ryu

AUGUST 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Giolito scheduled to start for Chicago against Toronto

The Blue Jays will send Robbie Ray to the mound Wednesday and the White Sox will give Lucas Giolito the start

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Manoah expected to start for Toronto against Chicago

The White Sox will start Lance Lynn on Monday while the Blue Jays are expected to counter with Alek Manoah

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Matz expected to start for the Blue Jays against the Tigers

The Blue Jays will roll out Steven Matz to the mound Sunday and the Tigers will give Drew Hutchison the start

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Peralta, Tigers to take on Ryu, Blue Jays

The Tigers will start Wily Peralta on Saturday while the Blue Jays are expected to counter with Hyun Jin Ryu

AUGUST 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Begins rehab assignment Cole (oblique) has been sent to Triple-A Buffalo to begin a rehab assignment, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Impact Cole has been on the injured list since late May due to an oblique strain, but he resumed throwing bullpen sessions in mid-July. The right-hander made two rehab appearances in the lower levels of the minors last week and allowed a run on a hit and a walk while striking out one in two innings. As long as he doesn't experience any setbacks, Cole appears to be on track to return sometime this weekend or early next week.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gray expected to start for Washington against Toronto

The Nationals will send Josiah Gray to the mound Wednesday and the Blue Jays will give Jose Berrios the start

AUGUST 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fedde scheduled to start as Washington hosts Toronto

The Blue Jays will start Alek Manoah on Tuesday while the Nationals are expected to counter with Erick Fedde

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Matz expected to start for the Blue Jays against Mariners

The Mariners will send Logan Gilbert to the mound Sunday and the Blue Jays will give Steven Matz the start

AUGUST 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Flexen expected to start for Seattle against Toronto

The Blue Jays will start Robbie Ray on Friday and the Mariners are expected to counter with Chris Flexen

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Berrios scheduled to start for Blue Jays at Angels

The Angels will send Shohei Ohtani to the mound Thursday and the Blue Jays plan to give Jose Berrios the start

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ryu expected to start for the Blue Jays against the Red Sox

The Blue Jays are expected to send Hyun Jin Ryu to the mound Sunday and the Red Sox plan to give Garrett Richards the start

AUGUST 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ray scheduled to start for Toronto against Boston

The Blue Jays will roll out Robbie Ray to the mound Saturday and the Red Sox plan to give Nick Pivetta the start

AUGUST 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Manoah scheduled to start as Toronto hosts Boston

The Blue Jays will send Alek Manoah to the mound Friday and the Red Sox plan to give Nathan Eovaldi the start

AUGUST 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stripling scheduled to start for Toronto against Cleveland

The Blue Jays will send Ross Stripling to the mound Thursday and the Indians will give Triston McKenzie the start

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS