ANAHEIM, Calif. – Devon Travis will visit a specialist in Texas next week to get a second opinion on his left shoulder amid concern he may need a full off-season of rest to fully heal.
The Toronto Blue Jays second baseman continues to make slow progress after suffering the injury while striking out against Adam Morgan of the Philadelphia Phillies on July 28, and time is running out for him to return.
The minor-league season ends Sept. 7, which gives him about two weeks to get back into baseball shape and begin a rehabilitation assignment. At the moment, he’s not doing any baseball activities and the longer he needs to heal, the longer he’ll need to get restarted.
Losing Travis would remove an important bat from the mix for the Blue Jays and underscores the importance of Cliff Pennington’s acquisition earlier this month. He and Ryan Goins have formed a platoon at the keystone with both offering plus defence at the position.
The Blue Jays would be dangerously thin without Pennington, acquired from the Arizona Diamonbacks for minor-league shortstop Dawel Lugo.
Travis’s shoulder woes started April 30 against the Cleveland Indians when he was struck on the left collarbone by a Brandon Moss one-hopper, and grimaced later that game when swinging through a Bryan Shaw pitch.
He played through pain until May 17, when he was placed on the disabled list and missed 36 games.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a strong rookie season, slashing .304/.361/.498 in 62 games with eight homers and 35 RBIs.
