Shoemaker undergoes left ACL reconstruction

Richard, Phelps throw bullpen sessions; Pompey visits concussion specialist

May 1st, 2019

ANAHEIM -- Blue Jays right-hander underwent ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair on his left knee on Tuesday. Dr. James Andrews performed the procedure in Pensacola, Fla.

Shoemaker allowed seven runs (five earned) in 28 2/3 innings across five 2019 starts before sustaining the knee injury on April 21 during a rundown in a game at Oakland. He’ll be out for the remainder of the 2019 season, and the Blue Jays are going to miss his presence.

“The way he was pitching, and the way he was talking to the younger pitchers that we have on the staff and what a team guy he is, yeah, there’s no replacement for Shoemaker,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “He was awesome, and we’re going to miss him, for sure. Even there at the end, he was limping to the bullpen to be with the other four guys, and that’s awesome. How many guys would do that?”

More injury updates

• Two Blue Jays pitchers emerged from recent bullpen sessions with no issues. Clayton Richard, out since the start of the season with a right knee stress reaction, threw his second session on Tuesday, while David Phelps, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2018, threw his third on Monday. Both are scheduled for another bullpen session later this week.

• Outfielder Dalton Pompey visited a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh on Monday and will travel to Florida to continue activity progression. Pompey sustained a concussion as the result of an accident in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse during Spring Training.

• Left-hander Ryan Borucki, who has missed the entire season so far with left elbow inflammation, started a throwing progression and played catch on Monday. He will continue a gradual throwing progression this week.

• Right-hander John Axford, who sustained a right elbow stress reaction during Spring Training, was re-evaluated by team doctors in Toronto over the weekend and was cleared to begin a gradual strengthening progression. He will be re-evaluated again in two weeks.

Minor League injury updates

• Shortstop Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) who fractured his left hand in a game with Triple-A Buffalo on April 23, is currently in an immobilization splint and will be re-evaluated in two weeks for bone healing.

• Right-hander Julian Merryweather, acquired from the Indians as part of the Josh Donaldson trade and rehabbing from March 2018 Tommy John surgery, was scheduled for his first game action on Tuesday. He was set to pitch one inning in extended spring training in St. Petersburg, Fla.