52 Ryan Tepera SP

Tepera signed a one-year, $1.525 million deal with the Blue Jays on Friday after losing his arbitration case, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Tepera was pursuing $1.8 million but will be forced to settle for the lower salary following the arbitration hearing. The 31-year-old has a 3.60 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 149:55 K:BB in 141 appearances with Toronto over the past two years, and figures to enter the 2019 season as one of the top arms in the bullpen behind expected closer Ken Giles.

Tepera blew his seventh save of the season during Tuesday's loss to Boston, allowing four runs on three hits during the eighth inning. He issued one walk and struck out one.

It took Tepera 20 pitches (11 strikes) to ruin seven fantastic innings from starter Marcus Stroman (finger), with J.D. Martinez providing the pivotal swing with a three-run homer. The departure of Roberto Osuna leaves the Blue Jays' closer position ripe for the taking, but Tepera and the newly acquired Ken Giles combined to allow nine runs to the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Tepera (elbow) was activated off the 10-day disabled list Sunday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Tepera threw a bullpen session Thursday and was expected to require a short minor-league rehab stint at Double-A New Hampshire, but he'll instead make his return to the Blue Jays for the final game of the first half. The 30-year-old has a 2.97 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 39.1 innings with six saves. However, it remains unclear if he'll immediately slide back into the closer's role or if manager John Gibbons will ease him back in with lower-leverage work out of the bullpen. A slower reintegration into save chances might cloud his outlook with Roberto Osuna set to return from suspension in early August.

Tepera (elbow) threw another successful bullpen session Thursday, although he likely won't return until after the All-Star break, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Tepera will require a short rehab stint prior to coming off the 10-day disabled list. He'll likely appear in a minor-league game sometime over the weekend, and if all goes well, expect Tepera to return to the bullpen as early as July 20 against Baltimore.

Tepera (elbow) could return this weekend in Boston, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He threw about 20 pitches in the bullpen Tuesday and said it felt normal and he was able to really unleash without pain. Davidi simply says the Blue Jays' aim is for Tepera to pitch this weekend in Boston, so that could simply mean a side session, but considering he was able to throw at full intensity, it seems possible we see him in a game. It's unclear if he will be used in a save situation initially after coming off the disabled list.