The Toronto Blue Jays star right-hander has been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation.
Unfortunately for the Toronto Blue Jays, the offseason is coming sooner than anyone wants.
But at least for Dylan Cease, that offseason will be a relatively normal one.
As reported by Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet, Cease will take a few weeks off to let the swelling in his right shoulder settle down, but he anticipates a regular offseason and being fine for spring training in 2027.
Cease started eight days ago against the Texas Rangers but went back to Toronto for an MRI following that start. His scheduled start on Wednesday was pushed back and then when the Blue Jays were eliminated from playoff contention, he was shut down and put on the injured list.
The big question
Cease says he plans to be ready for spring training, but of course, the question is: when will spring training actually take place?
With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Dec. 2, there's plenty of chatter about a lockout that eats into the 2027 campaign. So, obviously, spring training beginning in mid-February is not a guarantee.
The other thing to note is this: Once Dec. 2 happens, if a lockout does come, players will be prohibited from talking with MLB personnel, including team trainers. So, Cease will have to stay on top of his communication and rehab plan with the training staff prior to that date. I'm sure he will, but it's important to note still.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease (84) pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Kevin Sousa-Imagn ImagesAn incredible year
Signed to a seven-year, $210 million deal last offseason, Cease was everything the Jays could have wanted in a staff ace. He made 29 starts, going 11-6 with a 2.40 ERA. He struck out 239 batters in 169.0 innings, also leading the league in hits/9, homers/9 and strikeouts/9. He's likely to finish second in the American League Cy Young voting to Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees.
Opponents hit only .180 against him. Cease had started 30 games or more in five straight seasons, a streak that has come to an end.
Looking ahead
With Kevin Gausman out of the rotation, Cease will be the headliner in 2027 and beyond. He figures to pair with Jose Soriano, Trey Yesavage and Cody Ponce in that regard, with the fifth spot up for grabs.
As for the current Blue Jays? They'll finish out the regular season with two more games against the Cincinnati Reds at Rogers Centre. First pitch on Saturday is set for 3:07 p.m. ET as Yesavage takes the mound against Reds righty Rhett Lowder, who is 6-12.
