Loss of Dylan Cease puts further strain on Blue Jays' pitching resources

Dylan Cease began his Blue Jays tenure with strong results, posting 84 strikeouts in 57.1 innings, a 2.98 ERA, and a 2.29 FIP through his first ten games. He consistently reached at least five innings, including a stretch of three straight seven-inning outings while allowing four runs and striking out 26 batters over 21 innings. In a start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he left the top of the fifth with cramping in both legs. An MRI reportedly showed no extensive damage, and he initially indicated he would make his next start. Twenty-four hours later, he was placed on the 15-day injured list with a mild left hamstring strain, leaving Toronto with limited rotation options and forcing continued reliance on bullpen resources.

"Through his first ten games as a member of the Blue Jays Cease appeared to be getting better with every start. He had accumulated 84 strikeouts in 57.1 innings pitched, resulting in a 2.98 ERA and 2.29 FIP. Outside of his second outing of the season, Cease managed to complete at least five innings or more in all of his starts, including a stretch where he got through seven innings in three straight games, and allowed four runs while striking out 26 batters in those 21 innings."

"But in the fifth inning of his start on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cease came out during the top of the fifth with what appeared to be a cramp in both of his legs. After the game, reports came in that he had undergone an MRI and there was no extensive damage, other than the leg cramps and manager John Schneider told reporters that Cease was already stating he would make his next start."

"24 hours later, that all changed. Cease hit the 15-day Injured List with a mild left hamstring strain, although Schneider maintains that, "t doesn't look too terrible, knock on wood. Just trying to be smart and not have it get worse. Don't know the exact timeline yet ... hoping it's a minimal stay.""

"And so is every Blue Jays fan right now as the team has already been dealt a unfathomable amount of injuries that has completely depleted the teams pitching resources. They were already having to use a bullpen day as the team had not yet found a replacement for a fifth starter, and after the Cease injury they are down to Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage and Patrick Corbin as their main guys in the rotation."

Read at Jays Journal