Jays Pitcher Dylan Cease Avoids Serious Injury as MRI Shows Inflammation

Toronto Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease told reporters Monday that his MRI showed right shoulder inflammation rather than a surgical issue.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease confirmed Monday that an MRI on his right shoulder revealed only inflammation, avoiding a more serious diagnosis that would require surgery. The 30-year-old right-hander was scratched from his scheduled start this Wednesday after experiencing a decrease in velocity over his last few appearances. Cease currently leads the American League with 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings and has posted a 2.40 ERA and 5.5 fWAR during the first season of a seven-year, $210 million contract.

Manager John Schneider noted Sunday that the shoulder issue had persisted for several weeks. While the MRI results suggest Cease will be ready for the 2027 season, he is unlikely to pitch again in 2026. The Blue Jays entered Monday three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the final American League wild-card spot with a slim chance of qualifying for the postseason.

Additional injuries have impacted the Toronto roster during their series against the Baltimore Orioles. Rookie outfielder Brett Bateman exited Monday's game after making a sliding catch in the second inning to retire Rece Hinds; although he walked off slowly, precautionary X-rays were negative for a fracture. Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was also absent from the lineup due to back trouble, while starter Trey Yesavage was pulled after two innings in his return from knee inflammation.