Toronto Blue Jays relievers Julian Merryweather and David Phelps were forced to leave Tuesday’s game against the New York Yankees with injuries.
Merryweather was pulled after experiencing left hip irritation after throwing two pitches in the eighth inning. According to manager Charlie Montoyo, it’s not clear what caused the injury and how much time he could miss.
Phelps was forced to leave the game after being hit in the back by a line drive. The play occurred in the top of the eighth when Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier turned a pitch from Phelps directly back towards him at 107 m.p.h. Phelps was able to turn his face away from the ball and as a result was hit in the back. The ball then ricocheted through the Blue Jays outfield, giving Frazier a single.
Phelps was able to walk off the field under his own power and was diagnosed with a contusion after the game. He was replaced by Jordan Romano.
If Merryweather and Phelps are forced to miss time, they would join a growing list of injured Blue Jays pitchers. Currently, Nate Pearson, Thomas Hatch and Tyler Chatwood are all recovering from various ailments, while the team lost closer Kirby Yates for the season due to Tommy John surgery.
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