Blue Jays notes and injury updates: Gausman experiencing minor shoulder fatigue, Manoah playing catch Monday, Rodriguez to throw live BP Friday, Jansen dealing with fever, and more
By Thomas Hall
1 month agoEarly on, the Toronto Blue Jays have largely operated injury-free across the first few weeks of spring training, avoiding a manager’s worst nightmare – unlike other clubs throughout the sport. But that encouraging liftoff has endured a bit of turbulence during the past week.
Injuries are inevitable in baseball. One way or another, they will factor into a team’s season. Luckily, however, none of the Blue Jays’ current ailments appear all that serious – as of yet, at least.
Kevin Gausman’s throwing program paused due to shoulder fatigue
Gausman, who’s yet to make his Grapefruit League debut this spring, has experienced minor shoulder soreness after tossing a bullpen session over the weekend and requires additional recovery time, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday.
Toronto’s ace underwent a precautionary MRI that revealed no structural damage, and he’ll be re-evaluated later this week. The 33-year-old was scheduled to throw a two-inning bullpen session on Monday, hoping to increase his workload to roughly 40 pitches.
It’s normal for pitchers to experience soreness and fatigue while building up their stamina during the spring. So this doesn’t sound all that concerning for Gausman, whose game plan was to ramp up cautiously anyway.
Still, the club should better understand his status in a few days.
All eyes on Alek Manoah’s throwing session
After feeling shoulder soreness following Friday’s bullpen session, Manoah will play catch on Monday to determine the right-hander’s next steps in his build-up to Opening Day.
The 26-year-old was originally supposed to start Sunday versus the Boston Red Sox, which would’ve been his second live-game outing of the spring after surrendering four runs on three hits, three hit-by-pitches and one walk in his Grapefruit League debut. Those plans, of course, wound up being scratched.
The results of Manoah’s throwing session are crucial, as they could determine whether or not he’ll have sufficient time to prepare himself for the start of the regular season. But if he requires an extended break, Bowden Francis will likely emerge as his potential replacement.
Positive results from Yariel Rodriguez’s recent side session, aiming to throw live BP this week
Rodriguez, slowed by back spasms in camp, enjoyed a productive and healthy side session on Sunday and is scheduled to participate in live batting practice Friday.
The 26-year-old righty will likely take longer to build up this spring due to his extended layoff after representing Team Cuba in last year’s World Baseball Classic.
Danny Jansen scratched from Monday’s game with fever
Jansen was planning to suit up for his fifth game of the spring in Monday’s contest versus the visiting Philadelphia Phillies but was a late scratch after reporting a fever. Thus, the club sent him home to recover and is starting non-roster invitee Payton Henry in his place.
The Blue Jays don’t expect their slugging backstop to be out of commission for long, as they’re hoping he’ll return to camp on Tuesday.
Cavan Biggio headed in right direction
Biggio remains on the right path while recovering from left shoulder tendonitis, Schneider told reporters Monday. The 28-year-old lefty took an encouraging step forward Sunday, going toe-to-toe with Yusei Kikuchi in a simulated game at the club’s player development complex in Dunedin, Fla.
That was the same session that top prospect Ricky Tiedemann threw in, where he tested his knee/hamstring ailment while flashing his electric arsenal against a few Blue Jays regulars.
Additionally, Biggio has participated in defensive drills without restrictions, per Schneider.
At this rate, the left-handed utility player seems poised to make his Grapefruit League debut shortly, suggesting he shouldn’t have any issue being ready by Opening Day.
Upcoming pitching plans
The Blue Jays have announced their upcoming starters for the next three games, with José Berríos scheduled to take the ball on Tuesday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates heading into Wednesday’s off-day.
Berríos will be followed by Bowden Francis and Chad Dallas on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, with Chris Bassitt opening Friday’s matchup versus the New York Yankees.
That leaves Saturday’s game against the Phillies in Clearwater undecided, with Kikuchi as a potential option to start that contest.
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