Blue Jays righty David Phelps has 'significant' lat strain

Blue Jays right-handed reliever David Phelps is dealing with a “significant” lat strain, manager Charlie Montoyo said Friday (via Scott Mitchell of TSN). Montoyo was unable to offer a timeline for Phelps’ return.

Lat strains often lead to lengthy absences for pitchers, and it sounds as if that will be the case for Phelps. The 34-year-old has already gone almost two full weeks without pitching, having most recently taken the mound on May 2.

Phelps, whom the Blue Jays signed for $1.75 million in free agency, delivered outstanding results before his placement on the 10-day injured list. Now in his second stint with Toronto (he previously spent time with the club in 2019), Phelps has thrown 8 1/3 innings of two-run ball (one earned) with 15 strikeouts, four walks, eight hits allowed and four holds. He’s one of seven Blue Jays relievers on the IL, yet Toronto has still found a way to a 20-16 record.