<p>TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays say right-hander Kirby Yates will miss several weeks because of a strained muscle in his forearm.</p>
<p>Yates was expected to be Toronto’s closer after signing a $5.5 million, one-year deal in the offseason.</p>
<p>Yates last pitched Saturday against Philadelphia, striking out two in one scoreless inning. It was his second outing of the spring and his first since March 11.</p>
<p>Yates was an All-Star with San Diego in 2019, when he posted a 1.19 ERA and led the NL with 41 saves. He pitched in six games for the Padres last season before surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow.</p>
<p>Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said he’ll use different pitchers to finish games while Yates is sidelined. Right-handers Jordan Romano and Rafael Dolis both saved games for Toronto last season, filling in when closer Ken Giles was injured.</p>
<p>“I don’t see the need to have just one closer,” Montoyo said.</p>
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