Happ to miss four to six weeks with head, knee injuries

ST. PETERSBURG -- Left-hander J.A. Happ is expected to be out for the next four to six weeks after he was struck in the head by a line drive in Tuesday night's game against the Rays.

Happ suffered a minor fracture on the left side of his skull and a laceration on his left ear. Toronto's starting pitcher also sustained a sprained right knee on the play after he twisted it on his way to the ground.

The injuries could have been a lot worse, and Happ considered himself extremely lucky, but it's still going to take some time before he can resume throwing off a mound.

"Our doctors have said, just because of his knee, probably a week before he starts throwing again," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "From that point, just keeping his arm in shape, it's going to come down to how long is it before he's back on a mound.

"If it's not that much time, then we can maybe make a rehab start or two. But he thinks he might be able to start throwing sooner than that. I just told him we're not going to take any chances."

Happ has been advised not to fly for the time being, and he will remain in Central Florida while the rest of his teammates fly to Boston on Thursday night in advance of this weekend's three-game series.

The 30-year-old Happ will continue to undergo evaluations in the coming days but he's expected to be in the clear. When he's able to resume throwing, Happ will begin working out at the Blue Jays' Minor League complex in nearby Dunedin.