TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman threw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since tearing knee ligaments in spring training, the next step in a possible September return for the right-hander.
Stroman went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 26 games, including 20 starts, in his rookie season last year, but hasn’t pitched this season after tearing his left ACL during a preseason fielding drill.
After getting a clean bill of health Monday from sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Stroman threw off a mound Tuesday at Duke University, where he’s been taking summer classes working toward a degree in sociology.
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos told a Vancouver radio station Tuesday that the Blue Jays intend to try and bring Stroman back as a starter before the end of the season. Stroman is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Aug. 21.
