Blue Jays expect Sanchez injury update before beginning series in Tampa

TORONTO – The Blue Jays expect to get an update on Aaron Sanchez on Monday when the team heads to Tampa, Fla., to start a three-game series with the Rays.

Sanchez was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 6 with a strained right lat muscle.

“We’ll check-in with him tomorrow,” said Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker. “See how he feels playing catch and throwing the ball and progress accordingly.

“He will be throwing tomorrow and getting after it. We’ll have a good chance to talk to him after that session.”

Sanchez (5-4) has not pitched since going eight innings in a 6-2 win over the Houston Astros on June 5.

Walker hinted that Sanchez has not thrown with any kind of intensity since landing on the DL.

Walker doesn’t expect the injury to be an issue when Sanchez re-joins the club.

“This (injury) snuck up on him a little bit, and we’re being cautious,” said Walker. “He feels great right now so we’re anticipating getting him back relatively soon. We’ll stay on top of it in the second half of the season, but we expect him to be really good for us.”

The 22-year-old right-hander is expected to require a rehab assignment when he is healthy.