Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman cleared to throw from mound after tearing ACL

TORONTO – Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman has been cleared to throw off the mound for the first time since April.

Stroman tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during spring training and was placed on Toronto’s 60-day disabled list on April 5.

He tweeted on Monday that he was cleared to begin throwing from the mound on Tuesday by Dr. James Andrew, the surgeon who repaired his knee.

“Quick stop in Pensacola, FL to get cleared by the legend Dr. Andrews. Off the mound manana back in Dunedin, FL!” said Stroman from his verified Twitter account, adding the hashtag #HDMH, which stands for “Height Doesn’t Measure Heart.” HDMH is a trademarked catchphrase used by the five-foot-eight Stroman.

Any rehab assignment for Stroman will begin with the Class-A Dunedin Blue Jays in Florida.

Stroman spent the summer at Duke University, completing his undergraduate degree and rehabbing his knee with the supervision of the school’s training staff and Blue Jays doctors.

“Man, I killed myself these past 3 months to be in the position I am today. Two-a-days, six times a week for 3 months straight. Plus school!” tweeted Stroman.

“Hard-work always pays off.” read another tweet from Stroman.