Toronto Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman tore his ACL back in spring training and it was originally believed he would miss the entire 2015 MLB season. However, the right-hander is progressing quickly and rumors suggest could be back within the next month.
Heading into the season Stroman was expected to be one of the best pitchers on the Blue Jays' staff. During his rookie campaign in 2014, the 24-year-old finished 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 26 games (20 starts), totaling 130 2/3 innings. Now it appears he could be back with the team just in time to help them make a late playoff push.
"The Toronto Blue Jays intend to stretch out Marcus Stroman as a starter and see where that takes their rehabilitating right-hander, who threw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since tearing up his left knee in the spring," write Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
"Manager John Gibbons saw video of the session and said 'you wouldn't think anything was ever wrong with' the 24-year-old. Stroman's next bullpen is slated for Friday and the pace of his progress will dictate when he throws a simulated game and starts a rehab assignment, tentatively slated for Aug. 21, and what role he's in once he returns."
Earlier this week Stroman tweeted that Dr. James Andrews, who has been monitoring the youngster's recovery process for his ACL tear, was "stunned" by the progression of his injured knee. According to David Brown of CBS Sports, the quickest recovery from a torn ACL in recent memory was that of Yovani Gallardo's in 2008. The former Milwaukee Brewers' starter was back on the mound in four months and 23 days, which is considered an aberration because such recoveries take up to at least six months.
Stroman suffered his injury just over five months ago and he's way ahead of schedule in the rehab process, though far from Gallardo's epic recovery. The Blue Jays have won 14 of their last 15 games to take the lead in the AL East by a half-game over the New York Yankees. Toronto's main issue this season has been with their pitching staff, but general manager Alex Anthopoulos acquired Marco Estrada (3.21) in the offseason and David Price (2.35 ERA) before the trade deadline, which have significantly improved the starting rotation.
At this point it's unclear if Stroman will return as a starter or reliever, but if he's as effective as he was last season he'll be an upgrade to the team's pitching staff in any capacity.
"Right now, he'll be stretched out to start," Anthpoulos told TSN 1040 radio. "We'll see how many innings we can get out of him assuming no setbacks. Minor league season's over on the seventh of September, and we'll see how much he's built up by then, and hopefully no setbacks at all. I know there's been talk about reliever/starter. If he's totally healthy, our plan is to bring him back as a starter."
Stay tuned for updates on Stroman's progress and potential return to the Blue Jays' roster.
