ST. PETERSBURG -- Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Borucki, who has been sidelined throughout the regular season with elbow inflammation after a strong spring, will throw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday.

Borucki had been on a regimented throwing program for the last month after receiving a cortisone shot in mid-April. Tuesday’s work prior to Toronto’s game against Tampa Bay included a 120-foot long toss session, and 15 pitches off a flat ground.

“I’m very interested to see how [the elbow] responds,” Borucki said of the upcoming bullpen session, saying it was his most eagerly anticipated one since recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2013. “It’s about making sure that once I’m off this [injured list] I’m off for the rest of the year.”

Originally drafted in 2012 out of high school in Illinois, Borucki had Tommy John surgery not long after, which sidelined him throughout '13. But the injury this time around is purely inflammation, according to the left-hander.

“Luckily there’s nothing serious about it, and getting that shot, I’m just feeling good so far,” Borucki said. “Just a lot of elbow inflammation and knocked it all out, and that’s all I really needed.”

Though the southpaw didn't feel as though his injury was serious, there were some memories of the year-long rehab that crept up on him occasionally.

“Tommy John is a different kind of animal -- a year of your life where you’re just trying to feel better,” Borucki said. “When you have pain in that elbow, all the memories come back of the time you were in the gym, two or three months in, it’s not fun.”

Shafer up, Rosscup DFA'd
Toronto announced prior to Tuesday’s game against Tampa Bay that it selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Justin Shafer and in a corresponding roster move, Zac Rosscup was designated for assignment.

Rosscup pitched one inning over two games after being selected off waivers on Friday from Seattle, allowing three runs (two earned) without recording an out in Monday’s 8-3 loss to the Rays.

Shafer had been pitching well at Triple-A Buffalo, appearing in 15 games while posting a 0.96 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 18 2/3 innings. Last season with the big league club, he made six relief appearances, putting up a 3.24 ERA. The 26-year-old right-hander was the first out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rays, and he threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk.

The transaction figures to give the Blue Jays some much needed bullpen depth before Thursday’s off-day, with the team nearing the end of a 16-day stretch without a break.

In Monday’s matchup, starter Aaron Sanchez lasted just three innings and left with a right middle finger nail avulsion. In relief, Jacob Waguespack pitched four innings but had to be pulled due to shoulder stiffness.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said that both of those pitchers are still being evaluated, with Sanchez scheduled to pitch a regular side session either Thursday or Friday.