Toronto Blue Jays: Marcus Stroman finished for the year

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons admitted on Tuesday that Marcus Stroman will probably not pitch again this season.

Last week, we suggested the Toronto Blue Jays needed to play it smart with Marcus Stroman, and shut him down for the remainder of this season. It now appears the club has decided to take this approach.

On Tuesday, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons essentially admitted Stroman was finished for the year. As reported by Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, Gibbons said:

"“You won’t see him probably pitch, I wouldn’t think…We’re getting a little far removed from the time he (initially) went on the DL with it. Almost a month now? Three weeks. Now you’d have to build back up, and I don’t know how smart that would be.”"

This has been an extremely frustrating season for the Blue Jays, with seemingly nothing going right for them. And in many respects, Stroman has encapsulated this narrative.

More from Toronto Blue Jays

• Blue Jays avoid disaster as Kevin Gausman injury not serious
• Blue Jays interested in outfielder Andrew Benintendi
• Blue Jays hope fresh start for Sergio Romo boosts bullpen
• Blue Jays need to have a break from Yusei Kikuchi
• Blue Jays: Nate Pearson suffers yet another setback

Even before the season started, the 27-year-old was in the wars with a shoulder injury which limited him during spring training. When the campaign began, it was clear he wasn’t himself, as his form suffered.

After starting 2018 with a 0-5 record, Stroman was sent to the disabled list with right shoulder fatigue, which lasted longer than initially projected. More recently, he has again spent time on the DL with a blister issue.

Now throw in speculation about the 2012 first round draft pick’s future and a fallout with the media, it really has been a terrible year for him. And this has been reflected in his statistical production, or lack thereof.

In fact, this has been the toughest season of Stroman’s five-year career in the Majors. Among other things, he has set career worsts for ERA, FIP, WHIP and walks per nine innings.

This shouldn’t be taken as meaning the Medford, New York native is on the decline, however. (Although I’ll admit this season’s developments have reminded me of what happened to Ricky Romero.)

This is still the same pitcher who can be a staff ace for the Blue Jays. In that respect, Stroman is only one year removed from the best season of his Major League career, which saw him finish eighth in the AL Cy Young voting.

As we previously wrote, it was admirable how the 2017 Gold Glove winner wanting to continue battling through all his issues. However, as evidenced in his last outing against the Tampa Bay Rays, it was doing him absolutely no favours whatsoever.

Ultimately, with everything that has transpired this year for Stroman, it really was in the best interest for everyone concerned to shut him down. Now, he can get a head start on returning to full health, hopefully meaning for the club that he will be fresh and ready for the 2019 regular season.

What’s your prediction for Stroman in 2019? Do you expect him to return to his previous form for the Toronto Blue Jays, or are you concerned he will continue to struggle? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.