The Toronto Blue Jays have placed right-handed pitcher Trent Thornton on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, the team announced Monday.
In a corresponding move, left-handed pitcher Travis Bergen had his contract selected and will be available for Monday’s game versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Thomas Pannone was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Bergen.
Thornton started Sunday’s game against the Rays, but did not appear to be feeling 100 per cent. Between pitches, he was seen stretching and rubbing his right forearm area. The 26-year-old did not return to the game after pitching a scoreless first inning.
In 5.2 innings pitched this season, Thornton has six strikeouts, an 11.12 ERA and a 3.18 WHIP. Manager Charlie Montoyo said the Jays are looking to get a second opinion on Thornton’s injury.
The Blue Jays drafted Bergen in the 2015 MLB Draft, but the San Francisco Giants later picked him up in the Rule 5 draft in 2018. He returned to the Blue Jays in August 2019 and finished the year with the Buffalo Bisons.
Pannone has yet to pitch for the Blue Jays this season. The 26-year-old pitched 73 innings last season, recording a 6.16 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.
Montoyo also had some additional injury updates during a media conference ahead of Monday’s game, starting with closer Ken Giles who is currently out with a forearm strain.
“(He’s) still improving, playing catch,” Montoyo said. “(He) feels good.”
The Blue Jays should have a second opinion on right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson by the end of the day Monday, according to Montoyo. The 24-year-old rookie was placed on the 10-day injured list last Wednesday with right elbow tightness.
“He’s progressing well,” the Blue Jays skipper said.
There was also an update on right-handed pitcher Matt Shoemaker, who Montoyo said is now listed as “week-to-week” with a lateral strain. Shoemaker, who was originally diagnosed with shoulder inflammation, was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday.
The Blue Jays are now without three members of their starting rotation with Thornton, Shoemaker and Pearson on the injured list. The starting spots for Wednesday and Friday’s game remain empty as Montoyo said the club is still discussing who will fill the rotation in the short-term.
Tanner Roark will take the mound to close the series with the Rays on Monday afternoon, with Chase Anderson set to pitch against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. Blue Jays ace Hyun-Jin Ryu will start on Thursday versus the Red Sox.
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