Marcus Stroman tore his ACL in spring training and it was believed he would be lost for the entire 2015 season. However, the Toronto Blue Jays' starter is making magnificent strides and should be back on the MLB roster this month.
Various rumors from earlier in the season suggested Stroman could pitch before the end of the year, but it wasn't took clear how legitimate those claims were. Months later, Dr. James Andrews, who performed the ACL surgery on Stroman, said the 24-year-old's recovery was remarkable. Stroman was back to throwing not too long after that news.
The right-hander made his first rehab start with Class-A Lansing this week and tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com. He surrendered no hits and walked just one batter in his first professional outing since Sept. 26, 2014. Chisholm added Stroman will make another rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
Stroman indicated that could be his final step in the rehab process before he rejoins the Blue Jays.
Not back with the team just yet. Still have another step to complete. I'll be with them until my next rehab start though. Can't wait!
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) September 3, 2015
Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca has more on that development.
"With this hurdle in his rehab cleared, Stroman now heads to Toronto where he'll throw a bullpen at Rogers Centre on Friday before travelling with the team to Boston on Sunday night. He'll throw one more rehab outing for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons in Pawtucket Monday evening, before officially rejoining the Blue Jays at Fenway Park."
The Blue Jays are in the midst of a playoff push in the tight AL East race with the New York Yankees. Toronto leads New York by 1.5 games and is getting closer to making their first postseason appearance since 1993.
Stroman's return would give the Blue Jays a significant upgrade in the starting rotation. It's likely Drew Hutchison will be displaced upon Stroman's return because the right-hander owns a 4.87 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 25 starts. Stroman was 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 26 games (20 starts) last season, but this time he'll join a rotation that features newcomers David Price and Marco Estrada, who have been integral to the team's success this season.
If Toronto can stay healthy for the final month of the season and get Stroman back at his 2014 form, this club will perhaps be a clear-cut favorite to win the World Series.
