TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays are targeting a return next weekend at the Chicago White Sox for Marco Estrada, who will pitch in a rehabilitation game at double-A New Hampshire on Monday instead of facing the visiting Minnesota Twins.
The decision was made Sunday after the right-hander emerged from a side session with improvement in his strained left glute, but caution ruled the day in case he experiences a setback on the mound.
Estrada hasn’t pitched since leaving a July 3 outing against the Mets after just 10 pitches with the injury, and the Blue Jays didn’t want to risk being caught in a similar spot against the Twins.
The plan is for Estrada to throw 60-70 pitches at double-A New Hampshire and then return to the rotation next weekend for one final showcase start ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
A good showing in that start may be enough for the Blue Jays to find a taker for Estrada.
As for Monday, the Blue Jays are likely to have a bullpen day, with long man Luis Santos one possibility as a starter and John Axford another.
Axford joked about becoming the first “Opener” – using a leverage reliever to start the game – in Blue Jays history, quipping to pitching coach Pete Walker that his one inning Friday was basically a side session.
Either way, the uncertainty Monday led the Blue Jays to maintain their 10-man bullpen and option infielder Richard Urena to make room for infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who returned from a concussion.
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