Toronto Blue Jays' Righty Makes Process in Injury Recovery, Team Still Unsure on Early Season Availability

We already know that Toronto Blue Jays' ace Kevin Gausman won't be ready for the Opening Day start as he works back from shoulder issues this spring, but he did get a good report after throwing a sim game on Wednesday morning.

Toronto Blue Jays' ace Kevin Gausman got a good report after throwing a sim game on Wednesday morning, but his status for the Opening Day roster is still undetermined.

We learned on Tuesday that Jose Berrios would start on Opening Day for the Jays, but it's unknown whether or not Gausman will need to start the year on the injured list or just be pushed back the first few days.

Per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet on social media:

Gausman said everything felt sound physically. His next step is to target 60-65 pitches over three innings in a game, likely on Monday. Club and Gausman will make a call on his availability for start of season following that outing.

Gausman said everything felt sound physically. His next step is to target 60-65 pitches over three innings in a game, likely on Monday. Club and Gausman will make a call on his availability for start of season following that outing.

Gausman said everything felt sound physically. His next step is to target 60-65 pitches over three innings in a game, likely on Monday.

Club and Gausman will make a call on his availability for start of season following that outing.

— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 20, 2024

If Gausman is only able to get up to 60-65 pitches before Opening Day, it seems like he may need to miss a few starts, but that isn't known just yet.

If he's unable to crack the Opening Day roster, it opens the door for Bowden Francis perhaps to make the rotation.

The 33-year-old Gausman went 12-9 last year with a 3.16 ERA. He also made the All-Star team for the second time in his career.

Lifetime, Gausman is 88-91 with a 3.84 ERA. He's pitched 11 years with the Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds. 

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