Shane Bieber. Max Scherzer. Addison Barger. Alejandro Kirk. Jose Berrios. Here's the latest.
The Toronto Blue Jays will take the field on Wednesday afternoon looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays.
At 16-20, it's been a very frustrating start for the reigning American League champions, largely because of massive injury attrition throughout the roster - and organization as a whole.
Before Wednesday's contest, there were multiple reports about what the next steps are for the battered Jays.
Max Scherzer
On the injured list with forearm and ankle issues, Scherzer has really struggled this season.
Signed to a one-year deal during spring training, Scherzer has made five starts for Toronto, pitching to a 9.64 ERA. He's 1-3 and two of his last three starts have seen him go just 2.1 innings each. He gave up seven earned runs on six hits and three walks in his last start, an 8-6 loss against the Cleveland Guardians, putting immense pressure on the bullpen.
It should be noted that he went six innings against the Diamondbacks in the start in between those 2.1 innings, giving up just two runs, but other than that, it's been a tough first month for the future Hall of Famer.
Also, Scherzer isn't missing many bats. One of the top strikeout artists in baseball history, he has just one in his last 8.1 innings, and only 10 total for the season.
Scherzer told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet that his forearm isn't responding the way it should be and he'll meet with doctors. His ankle is progressing well.
Addison Barger
On the injured list since the first road trip of the season with bilateral ankle discomfort, Barger was a breakout star of the team's run to the playoffs. Armed with elite power, he had 25 home runs last season, but he's out to just a 1-for-19 start at the plate.
Currently on a rehab assignment at Single-A Dunedin, Barger is hoping to be activated on Friday when the team gets back to Toronto.
Shane Bieber
Out since the beginning of spring training with forearm fatigue, Bieber is well behind in his ramp-up. He threw an up-and-down bullpen session in Tampa this week and will have another next week before progressing to live hitters.
Alejandro Kirk
Kirk broke his thumb on the first road trip of the season and was originally scheduled to be out for six weeks. It looks like he's on track to hit that timeframe, and is starting to hit this weekend.
Jose Berrios
Out all season because of a stress fracture in his right elbow, Berrios had been rehabbing in the minor leagues. He appeared close to activation, but has now gone for an MRI on that elbow.
Per Mitch Bannon of 'The Athletic:'
After a decrease in velocity in recent rehab starts, veteran starter José Berríos went for an MRI on his elbow Tuesday night. The righty, whose season was delayed because of a stress fracture in his throwing elbow, appeared close to a major-league return. Instead, his future and the Jays’ rotation depth now hang in the balance.
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