Blue Jays’ Mason Fluharty to start Thursday vs. Braves

Toronto announced after Wednesday’s loss to the Atlanta Braves that Mason Fluharty will start Thursday’s series finale as it looks to avoid a series sweep (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).

It will mark the third time this season that Fluharty will open a game for the Blue Jays. He previously did so on April 4 against the Chicago White Sox and on May 16 against the Detroit Tigers.

Fluharty, 24, has a 3.97 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 22.2 innings of work in 2026.

A fifth-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2022, Fluharty has allowed just one run over his last 16 appearances.

It is unclear how Toronto plans to handle the bulk duties beyond the six-foot-two southpaw, but Chad Dallas was with the team Wednesday in Atlanta on the taxi squad.

After being acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Twins earlier Wednesday, right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson isn’t expected to arrive in time to pitch on Thursday.