Blue Jays score minor victory with Dylan Cease health update

Ace dealing with shoulder inflammation, but won't require surgery

Published Sep 21, 2026  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  3 minute read

Blue Jays' Dylan Cease throws a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Sept. 18, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Stacy Revere /GETTY IMAGES

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An MRI revealed no structural damage in Dylan Cease’s shoulder, meaning no surgery will be necessary to address an issue that first flared up when the Blue Jays’ staff ace pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout in Boston on July 25.

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In Cease’s intervening starts, the right-hander didn’t look the same, which didn’t preclude the $210-million-dollar free-agent nor the club from cutting down on his workload.

It finally came to a head Friday night in the series opener against the Texas Rangers when Cease couldn’t make it out of the third inning, his velocity reaching career-low levels, while his command was compromised.

That’s the backdrop to what played out Monday when the Blue Jays were scheduled to open a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where rain reigned early in the evening.

No Wednesday start

The Jays had already announced their stud starter would not make Wednesday’s start, raising all kinds of alarm bells.

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Those fears were allayed once the full extent of his shoulder issue was partially answered following the results of the MRI, which were taken in Toronto on Saturday.

In short, inflammation was discovered, which is good news and cause for a collective exhale given the season-long misery that has plagued Toronto’s pitchers.

There’s a pretty good chance Cease won’t pitch again this season, especially with the Jays barely in the hunt for a playoff spot knowing so few games remain, including a season-ending three-game set this weekend against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.

The Jays don’t expect Cease’s issue to carry over into 2027, regardless of when the baseball season begins amid growing labour rancor.

‘A bit heavy and achy’

When he huddled with reporters in Baltimore, Cease insisted his issue isn’t pain-related.

“It’s definitely a bit heavy and achy, just not normal,” he told the assembled media. “At the same time, it didn’t feel like it was torn. It’s not something I need surgery for or anything like that, it’s just inflammation, that middle ground.

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“It wasn’t enough to keep me from playing. In baseball, most guys you ask have things that aren’t feeling good. You just play with it as long as you can.”

Kudos to Cease, one supposes, for persevering, but with the benefit of hindsight, it does seem clear there was no reason to pitch so deep into games, especially in games when the outcome wasn’t in doubt.

Cy Young contender

He’s been in contention for the Cy Young Award, but that individual recognition now appears to be very short-sighted.

Cease signed a six-year deal this past off-season.

He has dealt with a hamstring issue this season, but a shoulder setback is an entirely different animal.

Keep in mind Cease tossed a career-high 120 pitches at Fenway Park and has routinely reached triple digits in pitches this season.

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Why the Jays don’t simply shut him down is anyone’s guess.

For the record, the club maintains it will embrace the day-by-day approach and monitor how Cease is feeling.

Only a miracle will lift the Jays into the playoffs.

Even if this weekend’s games matter and even if Cease says he’s feeling better, his availability for the best-of-three wild card would seem unlikely.

Begging the question: “Why even bother.”

“The goal was to get him feeling closer to himself,’’ said manager John Schneider. “And if that’s the case and we need to win a game down the stretch, I think he’ll be good to go.”

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