Blue Jays’ Gibbons confirms Marco Estrada has herniated disk in his back

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons confirmed the report on Thursday that right-hander Marco Estrada has a herniated disk in his back.

Gibbons spoke to reporters prior to the start of Toronto’s four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels. Gibbons said Estrada has pitched through the herniated disk all season and that the injury was first discovered as far back as spring training.

The injury was first reported by Jon Paul Morosi of the MLB Network.

Gibbons seemed surprised that the issue came up now since Estrada has been dealing with it all season.

“That’s old news,” Gibbons said. “He’s had it since the beginning of spring training. My understanding is that anybody who has back problems, it’s from a herniated disk on some level. It’s what affects the nerve.”

Estrada has struggled recently, going 0-3 with an 8.53 earned-run average over his last three starts. He’s won just three times since the beginning of July and was forced to miss the all-star game with back issues, going on the disabled list in July.

Gibbons didn’t go into great detail and it doesn’t appear as though the injury is serious enough to shut him down for the rest of the season.