The general feeling regarding the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays way back in March during spring training was optimistic, but most thought the team needed a lot to go right for them to be playoff contenders.

One thing was for sure though, sophomore pitcher Marcus Stroman was supposed to be a major factor this season for Toronto. The 24-year-old starter had a stellar rookie season in 2014, posting an 11-6 record with a 3.65 ERA with 111 strikeouts.

Stroman was expected to be the main man on the mound for the Jays, possibly the Opening Day starter. That was until March 10 rolled around. Stroman suffered a torn ACL during a bunting drill and was lost for the season - or so we thought.

The young hurler has made an incredibly rapid recovery, posting most of it on Twitter, and appears primed to pitch at some point this month. After a couple superstar pickups by general manager Alex Anthopoulos at the deadline, the Jays are in postion to make the playoffs for the first time since 1993, and the return of Stroman would make it even more of a special story.

 

March 10 - Stroman tears ACL and is expected to miss entire 2015 season

During a routine bunting drill, Stroman tore his ACL after he was called off by third baseman Josh Donaldson. 

There was a chance Stroman could have been the Opening Day starter, or at the very least, a major contributor on the mound over the entire season. Instead the Jays went with a five man rotation that looks a lot different today.

 

Opening Day Rotation

Pitcher Where they are now
Drew Hutchison (Opening Day Starter) Starting Rotation   
 R.A. Dickey Starting Rotation  
 Mark Buehrle Starting Rotation 
 Aaron Sanchez Bullpen  
 Daniel Norris Traded to Tigers in David Price deal 

 

 March 11 - Stroman says he will return stronger 

Just a day after the devastating injury, Stroman spoke to the media in Dunedin, Fla., seeming optimistic, but not having much hope for a return in 2015.

"It's tough. It's more of the fact that I just feel like I let my team down," he said during the media scrum. "I've worked harder than I ever had this off-season. And to not be able to go out there and compete every day with the brothers that I have kind of developed a relationship with and a camaraderie, it sucks. It's so unfortunate.

"Honestly I feel like a lot of people are more worried than I am," he said. "I know I'm going to be fine. I know I'm going to come back probably stronger from this. I know that once 2016 comes, I'll be ready to rock and I'll have my goals set even higher than I did this year. ... We'll get past it, we'll move forward and we'll be good."

Stroman stayed in Dunedin for the weeks that followed. His daily routine included electronic stimulation treatment to warm the knee followed by exercises such as weights, squats and running on the treadmill.

 

March 19 - Underwent surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews

 

May 4 - Arrives at Duke University to continue rehab and finish degree

Stroman continued his daily rehab at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina where he was attempting to finish his degree in sociology. 

 

June 7 - Stroman says he wants say on possible 2015 return

Stroman paid a quick visit to Toronto for his own bobblehead day, a game the Jays would win over the Houston Astros after a Chris Colabello walk off hit. The pitcher had some interesting things to say about a possible return to the mound in 2015.

"I hope I have say, I really do; I'd hope I have say," Stroman told TSN.ca. "I know what I'm doing. I'm putting my body in the best position possible and the work that I'm putting in is the hardest work I've ever put in my life. If it works out to the point where I feel well and my knee's good, of course I'm going to be chomping at the bit to get out there and get on the mound.

"I've made a ton of progress in that two weeks so yeah," said Stroman. "That's my goal. That's why I wake up every morning hungry and motivated. That's what drives me, is to be in September. It's not just to get my knee better; it's to pitch this year."

 

June to August - Summer of rehab on Twitter and Instagram

Stroman continually posted positive updates to social media throughout the summer months.

 

Aug 10 - Throws off the mound for first time

After getting the okay from Dr. Andrews, Stroman begins throwing off the mound from the Blue Jays' spring training complex in Dunedin with a rehab assignment scheduled for later in August. 

"It sounds like it, he's moving pretty quick," said manager John Gibbons. "He's a young kid and he's a quick healer, apparently. We'll see. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. You've got to think about the kid's future and everything's got to be signed off by the doctors that performed the surgery and everything. It would definitely be nice to have him back, that's for sure."

 

 

August 24 and 28 - Looks sharp in simulated games

Stroman threw 40 pitches in a simulated game on August 24 and threw 51 pitches during a simulated game on August 28, both with positive results.

September 2 - Slated to pitch for Single-A Lansing

For the first time since his Spring Training injury, Stroman is expected to throw approximately 55 pitches for the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts. He is also expected to pitch for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on September 7.