Chad Green was reinstated from the 60-day injured list by the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday and later pitched in his first game since June 2022.
The reliever, who had Tommy John surgery while with the New York Yankees last season, allowed four runs in the ninth inning against Colorado before Jordan Romano came on and got the final out in Toronto's 13-9 win.
"It's always the most exciting time of the year," Green said. "Anytime you get to play important games in September, it's something I'm thankful to be a part of. A chance to do something special."
After seven years with the Yankees, the 32-year-old Green signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with Toronto in the offseason. He is 33-22 with a 3.25 ERA and 11 saves in 273 major league games, including 24 starts.
Green had a 1.46 ERA in 12⅓ innings of work between Single-A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo this season. The right-hander struck out 15 and walked one.
Toronto also recalled infielder Spencer Horwitz from Buffalo before Friday's game. Right-hander Hagen Danner was placed on the 60-day injured list with a left oblique strain.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.