Stroman may not pitch Opening Day because of shoulder inflammation

If Toronto Blue Jays fans were scratching their heads, wondering why the team's ace, Marcus Stroman, hasn't started in spring yet, manager John Gibbons provided some clarity on Tuesday.

Stroman hasn't appeared in a game because he has inflammation in his right shoulder, Gibbons said, according to The Athletic's John Lott, who adds the pitcher doesn't seem concerned but also isn't sure if he'll be ready to pitch on Opening Day.

"I'm not slightly worried about it," Stroman said.

Stroman said he should be good to go early in the season, though, adds The Toronto Sun's Steve Buffery. He hopes to begin throwing again in four-to-five days, Lott adds.

The right-hander will be backed off until the inflammation - a problem Stroman has never had before - clears up, Gibbons said.

Apparently, the Blue Jays first denied anything was wrong with Stroman, but the 26-year-old was overheard complaining about tightness during his last bullpen session, reports MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm.

An MRI on the area showed no structural damage, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling, who reports the Blue Jays aren't overly concerned, although Stroman has been battling discomfort in his right shoulder since January.

"It's something that I could probably get through if I needed to get through it," he said. "It's just something I'd rather deal with now and get it out, rather than have something linger throughout the year."

General manager Ross Atkins said the setback isn't expected to cause a long-term delay and "that there's not going to be a significant shutdown," and that Stroman will be ready to help the team early in the season.

"The most realistic aspect that we see is he has a little bit of rest, and as he builds back up, depending on how that goes and how he feels with the rest and how quickly he's asymptomatic, that really will determine the next steps," Atkins said.

The Blue Jays started 14 different pitchers last season, as they dealt with injuries to their starting rotation. Stroman, however, was one of the team's only constants. He tossed 201 innings across 33 starts while posting a 3.09 ERA, and was one of the American League's top starters.

During his four seasons in Toronto, the diminutive hurler owns a 37-25 record with a 3.61 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 3.57 FIP. He also won his first Gold Glove last season and finished eighth in Cy Young voting.