Buchholz diagnosed with upper back strain

Veteran righty will get 2nd opinion, has unknown timetable for return

May 18th, 2019

CHICAGO -- Right-hander Clay Buchholz has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of his teres major, which is located in his upper back and right shoulder area.

The Grade 2 strain indicates that there is some form of tear in the area. A Grade 1 strain means there is no tear at all and a Grade 3 strain suggests there has been a complete rupture -- Buchholz is between those two.

Buchholz is scheduled to receive a second opinion early next week from Dr. James Andrews. It's not immediately clear when Buchholz will be ready to return, but if the original diagnosis is confirmed, then he will miss a significant period of time.

The teres major muscle plays a big role in the rotation of a shoulder. It is primarily used during the acceleration phase of a pitcher's throwing motion and the level of severity ultimately will dictate when Buchholz is able to return.

Toronto released several other injury updates Saturday afternoon. Here is the full roundup:

-- Second baseman Devon Travis has experienced another setback. He has yet to play this season because of right knee soreness and he recently started to experience more pain in recent days after ramping up the intensity of his workouts in Florida. Travis was sent to New York to be examined by Dr. Riley Williams. No structural damage was found and Travis instead received a PRP injection to reduce inflammation. He remains without a timeline to return.

-- Reliever David Phelps was scheduled to throw his third live batting practice session Saturday. Phelps is still recovering from last year's Tommy John surgery, but he appears to be moving closer to the start of a rehab assignment.

-- Toronto's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, Bo Bichette, received his three-week checkup after having fractured his left hand. He was informed the fracture is healing well, and he has begun strengthening exercises and light baseball activities. Bichette is expect to begin a hitting progression next week, but he's at least a couple of weeks away from returning.

-- Dalton Pompey continues to work his way back from a concussion, which he sustained during Spring Training. He is not partaking in any game activity but he is running, throwing and hitting at the club's Minor League complex in Dunedin, Fla.