Rest of Stroman’s season in his hands as blister continues to hinder him

TORONTO – The rest of Marcus Stroman’s 2018 season is in his hands — literally and figuratively.

Manager John Gibbons thinks the Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher should shut it down for the season, a day after Stroman was pulled in the second inning of a 7-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays after tearing a blister on his throwing hand.

But Gibbons also thinks that, ultimately, it’s up to Stroman if he wants to play out the final month of the season.

“We’ll see how he is in a couple of days,” said Gibbons on Tuesday afternoon.

Gibbons noted that the blister didn’t seem to affect Stroman’s mechanics, but that if he starts to compensate for the pain by adjusting his throwing motion it could lead to further issues.

“What’s that going to accomplish?” Gibbons said.

The 27-year-old Stroman was making his first start since Aug. 17 after a stint on the disabled list with a recurring finger blister that refused to fully heal between scheduled starts.

Stroman said after Monday night’s loss that he would like to keep playing with only 25 games left on the Blue Jays’ schedule, meaning potentially five starts for him. He’s thrown 102 1/3 innings this season with a 4-9 record, 77 strikeouts, and a 5.54 earned-run average.

“I like to compete. I don’t like sitting. I only get to go out there one every five days to begin with,” said Stroman after the loss. “Being out there every fifth day is a priority. I hate being on the DL. I hate watching. I hate not being out there. It frustrates me. It kills me inside, honestly. I’m going to do everything in my power to be out there.”

Stroman said his finger looked like it had a hole in it 10 days ago and credited Toronto’s training staff for preparing him to make his return ahead of Monday’s game.

Also on Tuesday, the Blue Jays placed right-handed reliever Joe Biagini on the 10-day DL with a left oblique strain retroactive to Saturday. Right-handed pitcher Jake Petricka has been recalled from triple-A Buffalo to replace him.

Toronto also called up outfielder Dwight Smith Jr., infielder Richard Urena and first baseman Rowdy Tellez from Buffalo to join the Blue Jays’ expanded September roster. Outfielder Jonathan Davis has been selected to the active roster and right-handed pitcher Mike Hauschild was designated for assignment.

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