TORONTO — Blue Jays relievers Roberto Osuna and Aaron Sanchez are both pitching through finger injuries as the post-season wears on, but there’s likely no rest in sight for either of them.
Osuna has a cracked nail, while Sanchez has a blister—both injuries to their throwing hands. The issues began in Kansas City over the weekend and likely are the result of the heavy use both Blue Jays relievers have experienced this post-season. Sanchez has logged 6.2 innings in seven of the Blue Jays’ eight playoff games; Osuna has 6.1 innings in five.
If the Blue Jays were currently in the regular season, the two pitchers would likely be given a few days off in order to allow the injuries to heal. But this is October.
“Right now, you really can’t do that,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “But you’re conscious of it. You extend them a little too much and something like that rips—now you’re in trouble.”
Osuna was concerned he wouldn’t be able to use his slider due to the cracked nail, but managed to throw two at 91-mph during a nine-pitch relief appearance during the ninth inning of Game 3. Sanchez also appeared in the game, retiring both batters he faced on 12 pitches. Gibbons said he wouldn’t hesitate to go to either of the pitchers in Games 4 or 5 if they were needed, in spite of the injuries and heavy workloads.
Osuna reported that his stuff felt good in Game 3 and that he was “feeling much better,” in spite of the fact he gave up a long home run to Kendrys Morales on a 97-mph fastball out over the plate. Sanchez, meanwhile, said he’s been doing everything he can to prepare himself for the heavy workload he’s endured.
“I knew coming into the playoffs you have to win every game. And if that meant them using me every game, I knew I had to be ready,” Sanchez said. “It’s a lot of preparation and taking care of your body. … A lot of stretching, a lot of making sure everything stays loose. A lot of understanding what I need to do when I’m playing catch, understanding what to do on off-days, a lot of massages. It’s about coming to the yard and being mentally ready to take on what’s ahead.”
Meanwhile, Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil threw off a mound in the Blue Jays bullpen Tuesday afternoon, the second time he’s done so since tearing his left calf muscle a little more than a week ago during the ALDS.
Cecil has said his goal is to be ready to return to the back end of the Blue Jays bullpen if the team reaches the World Series. That would be a welcome development for Gibbons, as Cecil was one of the team’s best relievers over the second half of the season. He didn’t allow an earned run from the beginning of July through the end of the year, striking out 40 batters in 29.1 innings.
“When he first suffered the injury, they looked at it and said ‘it’s a pretty good tear,’” Gibbons said. “But he’s bouncing back. So, we want to keep his arm working just in case.”