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Toronto Blue Jays: 3 Factors Which Will Affect Success in May

By Jose Alfonso Taboada

Jul 20, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (left) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (left) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Blue Jays
Apr 13, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Josh Donaldson (20) walks off the field with trainer George Poulis after hitting an rbi double in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Injuries still haunting Blue Jays

Let’s face it. Regardless of whether this is the reason the Blue Jays had a bad April or not, fans still missed their best players on the field. Four Blue Jays hit the disabled list at one point during the first month of the season.

One of the biggest players to hit the DL was third baseman Josh Donaldson. He’s been out of the lineup with a strained right calf since April 13 and was expected to be out for at least two to four weeks.

However, this past Saturday during batting practice, Donaldson, along with Blue Jays infielder Troy Tulowitzki, was showing a bit of life taking some swings in Toronto:

Tulowitzki went to the disabled list himself April 23 with a hamstring issue. However, according to CBS Sports, Tulowitzki doesn’t feel he’ll be ready for the May 5-7 series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Blue Jays right-handed starter J.A. Happ was pulled from his April 16 start against the Baltimore Orioles with an arm issue that turned out to just be an elbow inflammation. It was a sigh of relief, considering it could have been much worse for him.

Happ didn’t have a very satisfying throwing session on April 20. However, he showed better signs in his more recent session, .

Regardless, there still isn’t a return date set for Happ, as the Blue Jays will continue to slowly monitor the inflammation and be patient until he’s ready to pitch again.

Finally, there’s Aaron Sanchez. He came off the 10-day disabled list against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon, but things didn’t work in his favor after one inning of play:

Throwing only 13 pitches, Sanchez was pulled out after Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker realized something was going on with their fifth starter.

On April 17, Sanchez had finger surgery that removed a piece of his nail from his finger, according to Sportsnet‘s Arden Zwelling. With Sanchez feeling okay and ready to pitch, one would understand the frustration he currently must be feeling, after being pulled in the first inning.

From here, we must await the aftermath of this problem re-emerging for Sanchez and wonder how long will it be before he is 100 percent healthy?

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