Bowden Francis's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to call up right-hander Bowden Francis from Triple-A Buffalo to have him start one of the games of their doubleheader against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles on Monday. Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is lined up to pitch on Friday against the division-rival Texas Rangers, with right-handers Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios scheduled to go on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Francis, 28, has posted a bloated 5.82 ERA (5.32 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in 16 appearances (only three starts) in his third year in the big leagues, but he has tossed nine scoreless innings with 13 K's and only one walk in his two starts since being sent to Buffalo. Despite his two recent strong starts on the farm, Francis will be a pretty risky deep-league streaming option for fantasy managers against the first-place O's.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Brandon Eisert was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, July 14, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays optioned right-handed pitcher Bowden Francis to Triple-A. Eisert made one major league appearance earlier this season on June 17 and tossed two scoreless frames. He allowed one hit and three free passes. At Triple-A Buffalo, the Oregon State product posted a 5.17 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across 31 innings. The southpaw should continue to operate in a bullpen role in his second stint in the major leagues and could eventually be used in a bulk relief role, as he recorded over six outs in several outings in the minor leagues this season.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis did a solid job against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The right-hander allowed three hits and a walk over four scoreless innings. The 28-year-old struck out three batters while needing only 49 pitches to navigate over four innings. It's unclear if he'll get another chance in the rotation or head back to the bullpen. If he stays in the rotation, Francis will get the Cleveland Guardians next weekend.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced that right-hander Trevor Richards will serve as the team's opener on Tuesday night against the visiting Baltimore Orioles, with right-hander Bowden Francis (forearm) expected to get the bulk of the innings in relief. Francis will be activated off the 15-day injured list for the assignment. Richards tossed 3 1/3 innings of relief last week against the Chicago White Sox and has gone more than an inning in seven of his 25 relief appearances this year, but fantasy managers looking for a streamer should still avoid the 31-year-old veteran. His last appearance came on Sunday against the Pirates. Francis, 28, has been out since late April with forearm tendonitis and had an ugly 8.59 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with 17 K's and seven walks in 14 2/3 innings for Toronto before going on the IL. Francis will be on a limited pitch count and should be avoided for streaming purposes.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis (forearm) is currently being considered to take right-hander Alek Manoah's (elbow) next turn in the starting rotation after he was put on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a right-elbow sprain. In Francis' last minor-league rehab outing on Tuesday for Triple-A Buffalo, he picked up the win while giving up an unearned run on one hit while walking one and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings of work. The 28-year-old has been out since late April with forearm tendonitis, but his outing on Tuesday with the Bisons was likely his last before he returns to the big-league roster. Francis will be returning to an ugly 8.59 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with 17 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings over five appearances (two starts) for Toronto before his injury, but he could be worth a look as a deep-league streamer now that Manoah is out for an extended amount of time.