Blue Jays' Marco Estrada: Feels lingering effects of back injury

Estrada said he feels much healthier than he has in a long time, but still deals with some lingering back aches caused by last season's injury, the National Post reports.

Analysis:

The veteran acknowledged that last season's back issues -- which caused him to begin 2016 on the DL -- still ache every now and again, but ultimately the sensation is much different than the pain he felt last year. However, hearing Estrada, who's entering his 10th season at 33 years old, mention that he feels a back "ache" should raise owners' eyebrows. The right-hander started a career-high 29 games in 2016 while managing the AL's sixth-best WHIP (1.12). Estrada has evolved into a finesse pitcher in recent years as his pitch velocity continues to drop (his 88.1 mph average fastball last season was a career low). After failing to top 150 innings in any of his first six MLB seasons, Estrada has now accomplished the feat for three consecutive campaigns.