Blue Jays: Not a whole lot of room for Devon Travis

One of the few remaining members of the 2015/16 post-season Toronto Blue Jays roster, Devon Travis has once again battled injuries and adversity to begin the season.

The culprit this time is a meniscus tear in his right knee. It started back in March when Devon Travis knee became inflamed, then the Blue Jays tried to give him some time off, but ultimately it required an arthroscopic procedure on March 13th. Travis was placed on the 60-day IL on March 25th and will be eligible to come off it next weekend, but Travis does not look anywhere near ready for his 2019 debut.

The latest update on Devon Travis at the end of April was that he was hitting off a tee, and doing “pre-running activities”. It sounds like the Blue Jays will be taking Devon’s rehab slowly, and it might not be just because the 28-year-old is injury prone, but because there really isn’t anywhere for him to play right now.

The Blue Jays have received excellent play from veteran second baseman Eric Sogard in Devon’s absence. I can’t see the Blue Jays sending Sogard down even if Travis was healthy enough to play right now. Then there is prospect Cavan Biggio playing second base in Buffalo, and he’s making his case for the big leagues himself by leading the Bisons offensively.

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There is a good chance that the Blue Jays would slowly ease Devon Travis through the minor league levels anyways due to his injury history, but they could be even more motivated to slow down his progression due to a logjam at second for the Blue Jays and Bisons.

Travis did struggle at the plate last season and was sent down to AAA to find his swing, so some extended time warming up against low A pitchers this season to get started could probably benefit Devon. He could also be tried at the outfield which was the plan for him this past spring before his knee ballooned up.

Yet, I can’t help but feel that maybe Devon Travis time in Toronto might be winding down. It’s seemed like a cruel joke sometimes the number of injuries that Devon has sustained while playing for the Blue Jays. Only topped by Troy Tulowitzki, Devon has had such terrible luck with injuries, and maybe it might be time for the Blue Jays front office to think about giving Devon the old Tulowitzki ticket out-of-town.

The second baseman deserves better than what his body has provided him in Toronto, but sometimes that’s just the cards that you are dealt. I don’t believe he factors into Ross Atkins future plans for second base, so it leaves him in the precarious position of being on the outside looking in for the Blue Jays this season.