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Toronto Blue Jays: Marco Estrada compromises his trade value

By Paul Taylor

TORONTO, ON - JULY 3: Marco Estrada #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays is tended to by head athletic trainer Nikki Huffman before coming out of the game in the first inning during MLB game action against the New York Mets at Rogers Centre on July 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 3: Marco Estrada #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays is tended to by head athletic trainer Nikki Huffman before coming out of the game in the first inning during MLB game action against the New York Mets at Rogers Centre on July 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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With Marco Estrada leaving Tuesday’s game with left hip soreness, how will this impact any attempts by the Toronto Blue Jays to move him before the non-waiver trade deadline?

Last week, we asked if Marco Estrada was a genuine candidate to be traded by the Toronto Blue Jays between now and July 31. Now though, it might well be a moot point.

As reported by Sportsnet, Estrada left Tuesday’s game against the New York Mets with left hip soreness. The decision to remove him was made during the top of the first inning, after throwing just 12 pitches.

Even before the injury, the 34-year-old was already enduring a torrid evening. The Blue Jays fell behind early, after he gave up a two-run homer to the Mets’ Asdrubal Cabrera.

Of course, that was nothing compared to a member of your rotation being forced to leave the action. The question is, how serious is the injury?

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As per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, initial x-rays were negative and the pitcher underwent further evaluation. The Blue Jays are now awaiting the outcome of an MRI scan.

Pending the result of the scan, the belief is Estrada will probably have to spend some time on the disabled list. And if he does, it will be extremely tough for the Blue Jays to move him before the non-waiver trade deadline (assuming this was something they were giving serious consideration to).

Understandably, there is never a good time to suffer an injury during a season. However, the timing must still be extremely frustrating for the 2005 sixth round draft pick.

Following a disappointing start to his season, Estrada had turned around his production during June and was hoping to continue his fine run of form in July. In fact, he was arguably one of the best pitchers in all of baseball last month, with his fastball being particularly effective.

Interestingly, the 2016 All-Star’s injury wasn’t a sudden occurrence. As per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, Jays manager John Gibbons said:

"“His left hip has been bothering him a little bit. It was bothering him in his last start (at Houston last week) and was worse tonight.”"

No matter how all of this plays out, in respect of Estrada’s injury and potentially being moved, this is more than likely his final season as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays anyway. He is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the current campaign.

Next: Justin Smoak improves his value

Let’s assume Estrada’s injury is nothing serious. Under this scenario, how likely are the Toronto Blue Jays to trade him by July 31? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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