Scoreless rehab inning Delabar's first step

TORONTO -- On Wednesday, reliever Steve Delabar took the first step toward returning to the Blue Jays before the end of the season.

The right-hander pitched a scoreless inning in the Rookie Gulf Coast League, facing the Yankees' affiliate. Delabar entered the game in the fourth inning and didn't allow a hit or a walk, picking up a hold.

It was a significant step for the 30-year-old righty, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list and temporarily shut down due to right shoulder inflammation on Aug. 4.

Before hitting the disabled list, Delabar was being watched cautiously by the Blue Jays, as he had been dealing with the soreness for several weeks when the club ultimately decided to shut him down.

It was obvious after the All-Star break that the setup man wasn't quite himself leading up to his DL stint.

Prior to the Midsummer Classic, the first-time All-Star was 5-1 with a 1.71 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 42 innings. In 7 2/3 innings after the break, he has gone 0-1 with a 9.39 ERA, a 1.70 WHIP and 17 strikeouts.