The MRI on Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease's right shoulder showed only inflammation and not anything more serious that would require surgery, he told reporters Monday.
Cease, 30, underwent the MRI after he was scratched from his upcoming start Wednesday. Toronto manager John Schneider told reporters Sunday that Cease has been dealing with a shoulder issue for the past few weeks that includes a decrease in velocity.
"The velocity being down has been a little bit concerning." Cease said, according to MLB.com. "But at the same time, I'm getting outs. It wasn't anything that was too scary because nothing about it feels like I've got something that needs surgery. I was never that panicked or worried, it was more of an inconvenience, and I was annoyed that I wasn't able to maximize my best self.
"The last couple of starts, the velo keeps going down and down. Especially that last one, I almost felt like I was hurting the team."
Cease might still be unlikely to pitch again this season for a Blue Jays team that has a slim chance to earn a wild-card playoff berth. But the results mean Toronto shouldn't expect any delay in getting back its ace pitcher for 2027. Cease is in the first year of a seven-year, $210 million deal he signed with Toronto last winter.
Cease has had a stellar season, posting a 2.40 ERA while leading the American League in strikeouts per nine innings at 12.7. He accumulated 5.5 fWAR, good for second in the AL behind only Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees.
The Blue Jays are also dealing with injuries to star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and now rookie outfielder Brett Bateman, who was hurt making a sliding catch in the second inning of Monday's game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Bateman held onto the ball to retire Baltimore's Rece Hinds, but his slide left a divot in the turf and he rolled over awkwardly after making the catch. Bateman was able to walk off the field, but very slowly, and he was replaced the next time Toronto was in the field.
Precautionary X-rays for Bateman were negative for a fracture, according to the team.
"Jammed his right hip," manager John Schneider said after the game. "Kind of looked like his knee or his ankle, glad it wasn't that. He got X-rays, which were negative, and just a little tender. ... Take it day by day."
The Blue Jays are 3 1/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox for the final wild card in the American League. Guerrero was out of the lineup because of back trouble. Starting pitcher Trey Yesavage was limited to two innings in his first game back from knee inflammation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.