Blue Jays Injury Update: Sanchez, Pillar, and Barnes

Injury updates for your Toronto Blue Jays as of July 30^th, 2018.

Injuries have been a big part of the season so far. At one point in the season, the Blue Jays were without their best starting pitcher, best position player, and best relief pitcher; Marcus Stroman was on the DL, Josh Donaldson was on the DL, and Roberto Osuna was suspended. If everyone could have stayed healthy, this season could be looking a lot different right now. Here are some injury updates for your Toronto Blue Jays.

Aaron Sanchez

After a frustrating season last season due to blisters, Sanchez’s fingers are causing him problems once again. Sanchez suffered a right index finger contusion June 21^st in a game against the Angels and has been on the DL since. Sanchez has been out over a month and has since played catch and thrown off a mound. Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports that Sanchez has recently thrown a bullpen session but a return is still distant.

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Kevin Pillar 

Pillar suffered a right sternoclavicular joint injury July 14^th in a game against the Red Sox. Pillar’s right arm was put in a sling and he was initially expected to be out 4-6 weeks. Pillar got the sling taken off just a week after the injury was suffered and has since thrown and run the outfield, according to Mike Wilner of BlueJaysTalk.

Danny Barnes

Danny Barnes started the season with the big league club but was optioned to AAA May 4^th. He was brought up once more but was later optioned to AAA once again. Barnes was sent to the DL on June 22^nd with left knee tendinitis. He has thrown off a mound, thrown live batting practice, and has begun a minor-league rehab assignment with AAA Buffalo, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

With Seunghwan Oh already being dealt to Colorado, and Clippard and Axford likely to be moved before the non-waiver trade deadline, the big league club is going to need relievers – which means Barnes is likely to be called up upon his return from the DL.