Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman can kiss his 2015 MLB season goodbye after he tore his ACL in spring training earlier today. Stroman, 23, was a high hope for the Jays starting rotation going into the season, but it seems as if accommodations will have to be made in order to fill his spot on the roster. It was announced earlier today that he had torn a ligament in his knee and will miss the upcoming season.
The 23-year-old Stroman posted an 11-6 record and 3.65 ERA in his rookie season last year. The young-gun began his MLB career after being called up from Triple-A Buffalo, and was able to secure a starting position in the Jays roster, which led him to start 20 games after showing off a remarkable arm and baseball awareness while starting on the mound.
Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that Stroman was “crushed” when he heard that he would be out for the season. The starter also voiced his disappointment this afternoon, saying that “Not being able to compete with my brothers each and every day is extremely disappointing. Still can’t believe it.” Many fans and team alumni voiced their disappointment as well, including Stroman’s best friend and fellow teammate Aaron Sanchez, who was with Stroman during the time of his injury.
Stroman was fielding bunts in a spring training practice session when the injury occurred.
“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos told the Toronto Star. “We have to move on and we will. This gives opportunity to other guys. We’re going to stretch out (Daniel) Norris and Marco Estrada.”
Stroman’s surgery date has not yet been set, and details on the severity and time span of his injury are still awaiting confirmation, although his hopes to play as a starter for the Jays in the upcoming MLB season have diminished rapidly.
Main Photo by David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images
