Blue Jays send Stripling, Romano to IL, Kay gets Thursday start

The Toronto Blue Jays have placed right-hander Ross Stripling on the 10-day injured list with a right flexor strain, manager Charlie Montoyo announced Thursday, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling.

Left-hander Anthony Kay will draw the start Thursday night against the Kansas City Royals, with Tanner Roark a strong possibility to pitch in relief.

The Blue Jays also announced that reliever Jordan Romano is being placed on the IL with right ulnar neuritis, according to The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath. Right-hander Joel Payamps has been recalled to take his place on the active roster.

Toronto originally scratched Stripling from his scheduled start Wednesday due to forearm tightness. T.J. Zeuch pitched in his place.

There are no official timetables available for Stripling or Romano. The pair joins a growing list of Blue Jays hurlers on the IL, which includes rookie Nate Pearson and right-handers Thomas Hatch, Julian Merryweather, Tyler Chatwood, and Kirby Yates.

Kay, 26, will make his first appearance of the season after being recalled from the club's alternate training site. The left-hander posted a 5.14 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 21 innings while pitching exclusively in relief in 2020.