The Toronto Blue Jays have plenty of work to do this offseason after a disappointing 2026 campaign in which injuries repeatedly disrupted their plans. Toronto entered the year hoping to build on its American League pennant success from 2025, but a series of setbacks across the roster, particularly among the pitching staff, made it difficult to maintain consistency.
“The team had entered the season with what was supposed to be one of the strongest pitching staffs in the league,” Nick Prasad wrote for Blue Jays Nation. “The Blue Jays had over 30 injured list stints in 2026 and over 2000 days missed by players. Unfortunately injuries are not controllable, but it makes huge impacts on the team’s consistency.”
One of Toronto’s most important offseason priorities will be ensuring its rotation is ready for a return to the postseason. And that makes the latest update on right-hander Dylan Cease particularly noteworthy, especially after a shoulder issue forced him to miss the end of his first season with the club.
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Toronto Blue Jays’ Dylan Cease Provides Shoulder Injury Update
In September, Blue Jays fans held their breath after Cease was scratched from a start and underwent an MRI.
The examination revealed inflammation in his right shoulder but no structural damage and he avoided surgery, though a notable dip in his velocity became more of a concern. The Blue Jays subsequently placed him on the injured list, ending his 2026 campaign.
Now, the 30-year-old is focused on rest and conditioning this winter, though his latest message was encouraging.
“A focal point (of Cease’s offseason) will ‘definitely be shoulder work,’ but he said he doesn’t need any medical intervention beyond that,” Shi Davidi reported for Sportsnet.
“Just rest and working out will probably take care of it,” Cease said, per Davidi.
That message offered some reassurance for the Blue Jays as they look ahead to 2027. Cease is entering the second year of the seven-year, $210 million contract he signed last offseason, making his health a significant part of the franchise’s long-term plans.
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Despite a disappointing finish, Cease delivered an impressive first season in Toronto. He recorded a 2.40 ERA and struck out 239 batters over 169 innings across 29 starts, establishing himself as one of the American League’s most effective starters before the shoulder issue intervened.
His late-season decline in velocity, however, gave the right-hander reason to reflect on how he could finish stronger next year.
“Right now I kind of just have a bitter taste in my mouth because I didn’t finish very strong,” Cease added, according to Davidi. “Now I want to take a look back, figure out how I can be more consistent and just continue to improve my skill.”
In addition to rest and recovery, Cease’s offseason plans also include a visit to an ashram in southern India, followed by a return to his usual baseball preparation. The focus will be on getting his body ready for another demanding season.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com