BOSTON – Devon Travis makes a significant step forward in his lengthy recovery from a left shoulder injury when the second baseman takes batting practice on the field with a coach throwing Monday.
Toronto Blue Jays head trainer George Poulis described the progress as “good news” during a Sunday media session offering updates on the club’s injured players, adding that the team is “really excited about” Travis’ next steps.
“He’s feeling good, taking his ground balls and mixing in well,” Poulis continued. “We’ll just keep progressing him gradually from there, too. We’re very, very encouraged.”
There still is no timeline for Travis to return to action.
He injured his shoulder last May, played through it briefly before hitting the disabled list, came back briefly before going back to the DL, and subsequently underwent a pair of surgeries, the second to fuse together bones in his shoulder. Caution is warranted.
“As far as a timeline goes, it’s been a long road,” said Poulis. “We don’t want to set a timeline and then have him see a goal and can’t make it. We’re protecting him from that. So, he’s doing great but there is no timeline.”
Poulis also reported progress for left-handers Franklin Morales (shoulder fatigue) and Aaron Loup (forearm flexor strain), plus right-hander Bo Schultz (left hip surgery).
Morales “is feeling really good right now,” said to Poulis and is to resume throwing Monday, “progressing him through his throwing program. He’ll be just playing catch at this point and we’ll move him along from there.”
Loup threw at 90 feet Sunday and reported feeling normal.
“It’s just a matter of building him back up,” said Poulis. “No timeline on him either but hopefully he progresses normally without any setbacks.”
Schultz, meanwhile, is to throw an inning in an extended spring training game Monday, and after a few appearances, will be reassessed to determine “where he’s at in his recovery,” said Poulis.
