Schultz visiting specialist for sore right elbow
Latos won't make team; Loup, Bolsinger favorites for bullpen spots
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Blue Jays right-hander Bo Schultz is scheduled to visit a specialist in New York on Tuesday to have his sore right elbow examined.
Schultz was a candidate for one of Toronto's final two spots in the bullpen. The injury rules him out for Opening Day, and he'll have to start the year on the disabled list. However, the hope is that the injury isn't serious.
Many people fear the worst when a pitcher experiences elbow soreness, but the Blue Jays will not know more about his situation until after the examination.
"He's scheduled to go see a doctor, that's all I've got for you right now," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told reporters on Monday afternoon.
Right-hander Mat Latos was informed by the Blue Jays that he will not be on the 25-man roster. Latos must now decide whether to accept an assignment at Triple-A Buffalo, or instead become a free agent and look for an opportunity elsewhere. It's not immediately clear which option Latos will choose, but he previously went on record saying he was willing to go wherever the organization wanted him to.
Schultz's injury, combined with Latos' departure, provides some further clarity for Toronto's current bullpen situation. Left-hander Aaron Loup and right-hander Mike Bolsinger appear to be the clear favorites for the final two spots, but there technically is still competition from Chad Girodo and Dennis Tepera.
Tepera's chances to make the team are likely hampered by the fact he still has Minor League options remaining. Bolsinger is out of options and cannot be sent to the Minors without clearing waivers, which might give him the inside track at the long-relief role.
"We're still up in the air a little bit on that," Gibbons said. "That's going to come down to the wire. ... We're picking two of them, ideally one of them can give you some innings. That's very important, so we can protect our go-to guys a little bit. One of those guys has to be able to throw two-to-three innings."
Missing in Montreal
Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis and right fielder Jose Bautista will be among those who are not making the upcoming trip to Montreal. The Blue Jays are set to play a pair of exhibition games against the Pirates at Olympic Stadium on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
Travis will remain in Florida to play in some Minor League games, as he continues to rehab from last year's knee surgery, but all signs point to him being ready for Opening Day. Bautista has received permission to miss the trip to attend his brother's wedding.
"He's going to play down here," Gibbons said. "We just thought, it's a different kind of turf, he's been battling that knee thing. Why even take a chance? It's not like the turf we play on at home."