Mariners’ deal for Yimi García

Outfielder Jonatan Clase is the key return for the Blue Jays, heading to Toronto along with Minor League catcher Jacob Sharp.

Mariners receive: RHP Yimi García

García, who turns 34 next month, is in his third season with the Blue Jays and arguably the best of his 10-year career. He is a free agent at season’s end and is earning $6 million this year after reaching a vesting option based on performance to the two-year, $11 million contract he signed ahead of the 2022 season.

García has compiled a 2.70 ERA (151 ERA+) this year over 30 innings across 29 outings, with 42 strikeouts, eight walks, a 0.80 WHIP and .526 OPS against. He has five saves and 10 holds, and the struggling Blue Jays went 22-7 in games he pitched, while his 96.7 mph fastball velocity is the highest of his career. García was recently sidelined for one month with right elbow ulnar neuritis but was activated from the IL last Friday and has since thrown two outings.

The Mariners’ bullpen has been above average this season by most metrics, but not at its status from 2021-23. That’s largely been related to injuries and heavy use over the past few weeks.

Matt Brash (Tommy John surgery) and Gregory Santos (who missed the first 92 games with a right latissimus dorsi strain and then left Wednesday’s game with a right knee injury) were expected to form a three-headed attack along with Andrés Muñoz, who earned his first All-Star selection this month.