In a move that seemed almost inevitable after watching Marco Estrada pitch through pain last weekend, the Blue Jays have placed him on the disabled list only a day after he was named to his first ever All-Star team. Replacing Estrada in the rotation on Thursday will be Drew Hutchison, an All-Star in his own right this season, albeit at Triple-A Buffalo.
The Blue Jays are placing Marco Estrada on the 15-day DL; they'll replace him with another pitcher tomorrow. Drew Hutchison starts Thursday.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) July 6, 2016
According to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet, while Estrada suffered through a back injury during Spring Training, he suggests that the current injury is the result of swings he took at the plate during interleague game last month against the Philadelphia Phillies. While a cortisone shot earlier in the week suggested that the Blue Jay’s ace may be able to avoid a trip to the disabled list, the timing of the announcement ensures that Estrada will be given ample time to rest his ailing back – with the All-Star break beginning on Monday.
Marco Estrada is enjoying the best season of his career, pitching to a 2.93 ERA and an 8.54 K/9 in 104.1 innings this season and is expected to return to the Blue Jays rotation when they take on the Mariners between July 22 and 24. However, with the move coming around the break, and the ability to modify the rotation, Estrada said will not miss much action.
Estrada won't start again until the July 22-24 series vs Seattle; Blue Jays don't want him swinging the bat in Arizona.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) July 6, 2016
Estrada’s injury gives Drew Hutchison, who has pitched very well this season at Triple-A Buffalo (10.0 K/9, 2.78 ERA in 87.1 innings), a chance to show the Blue Jays just how much he has improved on his horrific 2015 and more importantly, what he can contribute to a Blue Jays team that is positioned to make a playoff push in the second half of the season. Hutchison has looked very shaky in his two appearances in Toronto this season, getting hit hard, even when he’s able to get outs, but an improved showing would help an up and down bullpen and provide insurance in case any of the other starting pitchers get hurt in the second half.
While any team would miss a starting pitcher putting up an ERA under 3.00, given that the team is able to disable Estrada around the All-Star break and are enjoying strong starting pitching from everyone in the rotation (currently, the Jays are 7th in baseball with a starters ERA of 3.68), thIs injury shouldn’t hurt too much.
Lead Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports