Dylan Cease Cleared of Major Shoulder Injury After MRI

Good News for Toronto After MRI

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease received encouraging news on Monday. An MRI scan on his right shoulder showed only inflammation, confirming he will not require surgery.

The 30 year old pitcher underwent the testing after being scratched from his scheduled start this Wednesday. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said on Sunday that Cease had been dealing with a shoulder issue over the last few weeks, which had caused a noticeable drop in his pitch velocity.

Cease Reflects on Velocity Drop

Cease acknowledged the dip in his throwing speed had become an issue during recent outings. He explained that his velocity continued to fall and that he felt he was hurting the team during his last start. However, he noted that he never panicked about needing surgery, describing the situation as an inconvenience that stopped him from competing at his best.

Cease is in the first year of a seven year, $210 million contract signed last winter. He has had a stellar campaign, recording a 2.40 ERA and leading the American League with 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings. His 5.5 fWAR ranks second in the AL behind only Cam Schlittler of the Yankees.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Cease may not pitch again this season, as the Blue Jays hold only slim odds of securing a wild card spot. Even so, the test results are a relief for Toronto, as the club does not anticipate any delays in having its top pitcher ready for the 2027 season.

What it means for the next game

Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles (MLB, Tue, 22 Sep): Baltimore Orioles win 47%, Toronto Blue Jays win 53%; projected score Baltimore Orioles 4, Toronto Blue Jays 4. Our safest pick: Orioles +2.5.

Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles (MLB, Wed, 23 Sep): Baltimore Orioles win 47%, Toronto Blue Jays win 53%; projected score Baltimore Orioles 4, Toronto Blue Jays 4. Our safest pick: Orioles +2.5.