Stroman lands on DL with shoulder fatigue
The Toronto Blue Jays placed Marcus Stroman on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder fatigue, the team announced Friday.
Stroman, who was slated to start Sunday's home game against the Boston Red Sox, has struggled to a career-worst 4.34 BB/9 and 7.71 ERA in seven games.
The 27-year-old has been hampered by right shoulder irritation since January, which delayed his preparation for the regular season. Stroman, who was expected to be the team's Opening Day starter, was limited to only two games this spring but managed to avoid a DL stint by working his way back in time to start the fourth and final game of the Blue Jays' first series of 2018 against the New York Yankees.
"From the time I wake up, to when I go to bed, I've been trying to figure this out," Stroman told reporters, including theScore's Jonah Birenbaum. "So, yeah, it's been frustrating. I don't want to go to the DL. I pride myself on being that person that takes the ball every fifth day no matter what."
Stroman's velocity has remained intact, and he's still been incredibly effective at generating ground-ball outs, so his struggles can mostly be attributed to his shoulder and, perhaps, a change in mechanics. Opposing batters are making quality contact off Stroman with an exit velocity of 92.1 mph and hard-hit rate of 54 percent, to go along with a precarious .405 xwOBA.
"I'm off right now, it's not all there," Stroman added. "My plan is to get my arm where it needs to be, put everything in sync and be back here, hopefully, whether it be 10, 15, 20 (days), however long it may be, but with the right mindset, feeling good with every pitch."
In addition to Stroman's difficult start to the season, the Blue Jays' starting rotation has underperformed as a group. Entering Friday, they have recorded 0.7 WAR, 3.88 BB/9, and a 5.53 ERA.
In a corresponding move Friday, the Blue Jays called up right-handers Joe Biagini and Sam Gaviglio, and optioned southpaw reliever Tim Mayza to Triple-A. Manager John Gibbons told Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com there's a "good chance" Biagini will start in Stroman's place on Sunday.