Blue Jays’ stars are dropping like flies, injury updates

Yet another Blue Jays’ hitter had to leave the game on Tuesday, as Kendrys Morales was removed in the 8th inning, and will reportedly undergo an MRI on his tight hamstring.

The Blue Jays have been bitten by the injury bug enough this season that it’s starting to feel like an infestation. As we’ve discussed plenty of times here at Jays Journal, they’ve been without Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, J.A. Happ., Aaron Sanchez and more lately, and the list is still growing.

Russell Martin was placed on the 10 day DL on Monday with stiffness in his shoulder, and Kendrys Morales left the game against the Cleveland Indians with hamstring tightness, and will reportedly have an MRI on Wednesday morning to determine the extent of the injury.

While the Jays have been receiving great production from unlikely sources like Ryan Goins, Darwin Barney, Justin Smoak and Kevin Pillar, it’s going to be very difficult for the club to stay in contention if they can’t stay healthy. A look at their anticipated opening day lineup provides a sobering visual.

1- Devon Travis

2- Josh Donaldson (DL)

3- Jose Bautista

4- Kendrys Morales (MRI on Wednesday)

5- Troy Tulowitzki (DL)

6- Russell Martin (DL)

7- Justin Smoak

8- Ezequiel Carrera/Steve Pearce

9- Kevin Pillar

1- Marco Estrada

2- J.A. Happ (DL)

3- Marcus Stroman (Had to leave the start before last, but appears healthy)

4- Francisco Liriano

5- Aaron Sanchez (DL)

Comparing the lineup that John Gibbons trotted out on Tuesday night to the one above is pretty telling. As I said, the fill-in guys have been performing admirably but it’s not realistic to expect them to provide what someone like Josh Donaldson brings to the table.

Let’s take a look at the list of players that are out, and what their absence means to the lineup.