Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons confirmed that outfielder Randal Grichuk sprained his wrist diving for a ball in preseason play and will take it easy for a few days.
Randal Grichuk is the heir apparent to Jose Bautista after the Jays acquired Grichuk from the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the offseason. The new addition has 30 homer potential in the friendly confines of the Rogers Centre so hopefully, this injury won’t linger and zap the outfielder’s power moving forward.
This news comes just days after pitcher Marcus Stroman was shut-down indefinitely for shoulder inflammation. Stroman was scheduled to make the Jays Opening Day start versus the New York Yankees however that may now be in jeopardy.
Grichuk presumably injured the wrist when he ranged far to his right before laying out to make a diving catch the other day in Grapefruit League action play. The 26-year old appeared to land on his catching hand when he completed the web gem.
The former first rounder will have a big role in 2018 if the Blue Jays are going to contend in the AL East. Grichuk brings a defensive, gritty edge much like teammate Kevin Pillar in the outfield and the two of them should be exciting to watch on the defensive side of things this season.
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Grichuk has back to back 20+ homer seasons but many think the talented outfielder has just scratched the surface in terms of his ability and is being tabbed as a breakout candidate this season with consistent at-bats in Toronto.
The Blue Jays had the second most player trips to the disabled list with 31 last season so hopefully, these recent setbacks are not an indication that 2018 will be much of the same. The Jays need to have all their resources on the field to compete with the bullies of the east.
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The sprained wrist will be something to monitor this spring but let’s hope after a few days the outfielder can get back to his regular routine in preparation for the regular season.