After pitching twice in four days, including 2⅔ innings on Friday, right-hander Jhony Brito was optioned to Triple-A El Paso to make room for right-hander Matt Waldron’s activation from the injured list before Saturday’s 5:40 p.m. first pitch against the Blue Jays.

Waldron, 29, had been on the 15-day injured list since May 15 with a right brachialis injury. He had an 8.49 ERA in 23⅓ innings in the majors this year, including three games out of the bullpen.

With right-handers Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez starting the next two games, Waldron is likely in San Diego to serve as bullpen coverage as the Padres prepare for the All-Star break.

Waldron had a 1.33 ERA in 27 innings spread across two rehab assignments at Triple-A El Paso. He began the year on the injured list after requiring surgery on his lower half in spring training.

Waldron is out of options and had to be added to the major league roster soon as his 30-day rehab assignment was set to expire during the All-Star break.

Brito, 28, allowed two runs in 4 ⅓ innings across to relief appearances this week, his first action in the majors since 2024 as he lost all of last year to elbow surgery.

Here is how the Padres will line up for Game 2:

Tonight’s lineup. pic.twitter.com/3bHDImXywE

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 11, 2026

And here is how the Blue Jays will line up:

Let’s keep it going! #BlueJays50 pic.twitter.com/NawUCHInPI

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 11, 2026

 

Saturday’s pitching matchup

Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage (4-4,3.31 ERA)

Last year’s postseason darling (3.58 ERA in 27⅔ IP) has a 2.45 ERA over his last four starts. The 22-year-old has five quality starts in 13 trips to the mound so far. This will be Yesavage’s first appearance against the Padres, who do not have any players with big-league history with the rookie.

Padres RHP Walker Buehler (5-5, 5.07 ERA)

The 31-year-old has allowed 16 earned runs over his last two starts (9 IP) after posting a 1.71 ERA in five starts in June. Buehler has a 2.60 ERA in three career starts against the Blue Jays, including two last year (4.35 ERA, 10⅓ IP).

Here is how Buehler has fared against current Blue Jays: