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Toronto Blue Jays: Some Uncertainty Surrounding Devon Travis

By Paul Taylor

Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis walks off the field with a trainer in the 5th inning against the Cleveland Indians in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis walks off the field with a trainer in the 5th inning against the Cleveland Indians in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Blue Jays are optimistic about Devon Travis’ recovery, but admit they’re still unsure whether or not the second baseman will need surgery.

When the Toronto Blue Jays traded for Devon Travis towards the end of 2014, they were obviously hopeful of what he would bring to the organization. Ahead of the 2015 season, he was named as the sixth-best second base prospect in all of baseball.

However, even the Blue Jays must have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly Travis adapted to life in the Majors. He was enjoying an excellent campaign, before having it prematurely ended in July, due to a shoulder injury.

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Any questions about whether the 25-year old was a flash-in-the-pan, were quickly dismissed this past season. He again played tremendously, making it pretty clear the Blue Jays had their long-term answer at second base.

Unfortunately, Travis’ year was once again ended by injury, which limited his availability for the post season. He was diagnosed with a bone bruise and cartilage damage in his right knee, which he suffered during the ALCS against the Cleveland Indians.

At the time of the original diagnosis, the West Palm Beach, Florida native was expected to have arthroscopic surgery. The thinking was that he would have a relatively normal offseason and be ready for spring training.

Now though, as per a report from Shi Davidi, this may no longer be the case. The Sportsnet reporter spoke to general manager Ross Atkins at the annual GM Meetings in Arizona, about Travis’ injury.

On the one hand, Atkins claims to be optimistic that the former Detroit Tigers draft pick will be ready for spring training. However, he then went on to admit there is some uncertainty over whether he will still need surgery.

Toronto Blue Jays
Sep 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (29) throws out New York Yankees center fileder Jacoby Ellsbury (not pictured) in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Atkins said: “We’re trying to put him in the best possible position for not just this year and spring training. We feel good about him being in spring training but we want to make sure we have crossed every single T and dotted every I before we set a plan forward.”

Now of course, no one is suggesting the Blue Jays won’t do what’s best for Travis, or that they don’t know what they’re doing. However, it will be interesting to see how this turns out, especially if a significant amount of time passes and they then decide to send him for surgery, potentially compromising his ability to be available in February.

At least there was some more concrete news regarding Josh Donaldson, who dealt with hip issues towards the end of the season, but will not need surgery. As Atkins told Davidi: “He’s in great shape, feels great, feels strong.”

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What are your thoughts concerning Travis? Are you confident he’ll be ready for the 2017 season, or concerned about how long his injury may linger on for? Let us know in the comments section below.

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