Set to work, Oh says elbow 'no problem at all'

Estrada logs perfect inning in spring debut vs. Yankees

February 27th, 2018

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Right-hander is expected to be a full participant in Blue Jays Spring Training despite previous reports suggesting his right elbow could be an issue.
Oh reached a verbal agreement with the Rangers earlier this month, but the deal never became official. Multiple reports out of Texas suggested Oh failed a physical and the Rangers attempted to restructure the deal, but when talks fell through the Blue Jays quickly re-entered the fold.
Blue Jays Spring Training:Info | Tickets | Schedule
Toronto was interested in Oh before he committed to the Rangers and still had a spot open in the bullpen after the deal fell apart. The Blue Jays were quick to act by signing Oh to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million, which includes a $2.5 million option and $250,000 buyout.

"No problem at all," Oh said through an interpreter when asked about the elbow. "I've been throwing several bullpen sessions before I got here. I'm supposed to have another bullpen tomorrow. Working out everything with [pitching coach] Pete [Walker] at this point and then going from there."
:: Spring Training coverage presented by Camping World ::
Quick work for Estrada
Right-hander made quick work of the Yankees during his spring debut in Tuesday's eventual 9-8 loss. Estrada opened the game by getting and to fly out and then followed that up with a strikeout of .
Estrada needed just nine pitches to get through his lone inning of work. The Blue Jays have opened the spring by taking a cautious approach with their starters the first time through the rotation. Veteran lefty J.A. Happ also was limited to one inning in his spring debut on Sunday.
"It was part of the plan," Estrada said of the short outing. "I was using this more as a live BP type of thing. Obviously, I'm facing hitters and I had only thrown three or four bullpens. I just needed a few pitches. Get out there, take the fans all in and that kind of stuff. I felt good."

Camp battles
The Blue Jays have two spots up for grabs in the bullpen and will spend the next few weeks auditioning candidates. On Monday, veterans and Al Alburquerque each had an inning of work. In Tuesday's game vs. the Yankees, got another opportunity. The righty allowed the first two batters he faced to reach base, but then induced a double play and got through the rest of the frame unscathed.
Rookie right-hander was not as fortunate. Ramirez had his second consecutive rough outing as he allowed a home run to Danny Espinosa and a double to . Ramirez also uncorked a wild pitch and was charged with two runs in his lone inning. The 26-year-old remains a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster, with the veteran trio of Breslow, Alburquerque and Axford currently in the lead.

Injury updates
Right-hander underwent an MRI earlier this week, which revealed inflammation in his right shoulder. Stroman has been temporarily shut down and while he's expected to resume throwing later this week, the 26-year-old would not commit to being ready for Opening Day. ... Shortstop remains without a timetable for his spring debut. Tulowitzki is dealing with a bone spur in his right heel and has been taking light fielding practice, but has yet to resume running.
Up next: Right-hander will make his second start of the spring when the Blue Jays host the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 p.m. ET and will be available via an exclusive audio webcast on bluejays.com. If Stroman is not healthy by the start of the year then Biagini becomes the logical candidate to fill in.