Estrada to get tune-up start in minors
The nagging strained glute injury that has dogged Jays starter Marco Estrada for almost three weeks is getting to the point where he’s ready to pitch in a game and rejoin the rotation.
But with all the time missed, the team has decided his first start back best not be in the major leagues.
Instead, the veteran is headed to Manchester, N.H., where he will pitch for the Double A Fisher Cats and if all goes well, will be ready to go for his next scheduled start with the Jays.
Estrada was scheduled to be activated from the DL and return to the rotation for Monday ’s opener of a three-game home series versus the Minnesota Twins.
“He threw on the side and he felt much better but we figured where he’s at, how long it’s been, he’s better off doing (his rehab) down there,” Jays manager John Gibbons said.
Estrada has been out of action since he left a game against the Boston Red Sox on July 3 after throwing just 12 pitches. The extended time off has surely affected any trade talk Jays management had hoped to have in shopping Estrada in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
With Estrada out, Gibbons said the team is considering options for Monday, including a “bullpen start” with a combination of relievers handling the workload.
The likely starter in that scenario will be Luis Santos.
TRADE CHATTER
The Jays are well aware of the speculation surrounding Sunday ’s starter J.A. Happ, who is likely to be moved to a contender.
That said, centre-fielder Randal Grichuk said the rumour mill can also turn out to be unsubstantiated noise.
“It’s part of the game and one of those things,” Grichuk said.
“I hear guys possibly getting traded for years and they never go nowhere. In St. Louis, we always joked about (Kolten) Wong.
“I felt he was on the trading block every year and there were rumours and he never got traded. It’s one of those things until you get that phone call you just go about your business like it’s a normal day and just try to prepare to win a ball game.”
Like the rest of his teammates, Grichuk has been impressed with Happ, who had another solid outing Sunday. “I hope he pitches well for him and for the ball club,” Grichuk said. “Whatever happens, we understand it’s a business. We’re going to enjoy having him out there as long as we can. Whatever happens we understand.”
QUICK HITS
Closer Roberto Osuna has had two appearances with the single A Dunedin Blue Jays as he works toward an anticipated Aug. 5 return from a 75-game suspension. … How dependent are the Jays on the long ball? In Saturday ’s 4-1 win over the Orioles they didn’t hit a homer and are just 3-23 in games when they haven’t hit at least one out … In other roster moves on Sunday, infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was activated from the sevenday concussion protocol DL while in a corresponding move, infielder Richard Urena was optioned back to triple A Buffalo … Designated hitter Kendrys Morales remains productive at the plate with a walk and pair of singles on Sunday. He’s now drawn eight bases on balls in his past six games and in his past 35 is hitting .318 (34-for-107).