Blue Jays Provide Injury Update on Travis, Morales and Others
The Toronto Blue Jays provided an update on all of their injured players Wednesday, including second baseman Devon Travis.
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis will test his left shoulder on Friday when he takes live at bats in an extended spring training game.
Travis has made steady progression during his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery, but remains without a timeline, according to Blue Jays trainer George Poulis.
Here’s what Poulis had to say about Travis, courtesy of MLB.com‘s Gregor Chisholm:
“He’s going to get some live at-bats with the extended team down in Florida on Friday. Big step for him, he’s very excited, he’s doing great, and we’re very optimistic, but no timeline right now on his return. We’re just going day by day, step by step.
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“When you have something like that, it continues to heal even when you’re playing. We’re just trying to acclimate him and condition him to withstand all of the stress that he’s going to put on his shoulder … He won’t play in the field right now. We’ll mix that in, as well, but right now he’s just going to get some at-bats.”
While the live at bats are a step in the right direction, it will be interesting to see how Travis handles playing the field again — once he reaches that part of his rehab.
Considering he had unattached bones fused in his shoulder, I’d imagine the Blue Jays will take things very slow with Travis, and allow him to endure a variety of stressful situations to test his surgically repaired shoulder (like sliding, or diving, head first).
Injured Bullpen Arms Making Progress
Poulis also provided an update on injured relievers Franklin Morales (shoulder), Aaron Loup (forearm flexor strain), and Bo Schultz (hip). The trio of relief pitchers are making progress, according to Poulis.
“Franklin has been throwing long toss, feeling really good, and he is getting ready to throw off the mound,” says Poulis. “Once he throws off the mound, we’ll just continue with his throwing program, and we’re very optimistic that he’ll feel good and progress well.”
Although Morales remains without a timetable, May 18 is an important day when it comes to the lefty. Once that day hits, the Blue Jays will be committed to paying Morales his full $2 million salary. Since injured players can’t be released, his rehab is important to the Jays, at least from a financial aspect.
As for Loup and Schultz, Loup is scheduled to throw a bullpen early next week, while Schultz will begin his rehab assignment on Thursday with Dunedin.
“Loupy is going to be throwing a bullpen, I believe this coming Monday,” says Poulis. “He’s doing great, long toss is going great.”
Alford Returns to Action
Blue Jays top prospect Anthony Alford returned to action Wednesday, playing five innings in an extended spring training game.
After suffering a right knee injury while sliding into home during Dunedin’s season opener against Clearwater, the 21-year-old centre fielder is being eased back into things as a designated hitter.
He was spotted wearing a brace, so take that for whatever it’s worth. I’m sure once his knee and the muscles around it regain strength, Alford will likely get rid of the brace. But for now, it will help stabilize his knee and the ligaments he stressed.