DENVER – Gavin Floyd is facing an extended absence after suffering a significant tear of his right lat muscle, a significant blow for both the right-hander and the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen.
Manager John Gibbons said Tuesday that the 33-year-old won’t need surgery for the injury “but it’s a really long healing process.” Floyd walked off the mound after just four pitches Saturday in Chicago, explaining afterwards that he “felt it was necessary to take that step to hopefully prevent anything.”
The lat, or latissimi dorsi, starts at the spine and runs up into the shoulder area. Aaron Sanchez last year and Brett Cecil last month also suffered lat injuries, but the damage to Floyd is far more severe, with some separation of the muscle from the bone.
The damage is particularly sad given that Floyd was performing well after three consecutive years of ill health. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2013 before fracturing the olecranon bone in his elbow in both 2014 and 2015. The Blue Jays signed him to a $1-million, one-year deal in February and he competed with Sanchez for the fifth spot in the rotation before ending up in the bullpen.
Whether or not he pitches again this season depends on how quickly he heals, and his absence will be felt in a relief corps that has been consistently inconsistent. Pitching in a variety of roles, Floyd appeared in 28 games, going 2-4 with a 4.06 ERA over 31 innings with 30 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.00.
“We’re going to need some guys to step up,” said Gibbons. “The good news is Cecil will be back soon, and we’re counting on him.”
Cecil is expected to be activated from the disabled list for Thursday’s series opener against the Cleveland Indians, and the Blue Jays won’t have the luxury of easing him back into action.
“Not really,” said Gibbons. “We’re kind of at that point.”
