Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shaun Marcum received good news about his injured right elbow from arm specialist Dr. James Andrews on Monday.
During an examination in Birmingham, Ala., Andrews confirmed Marcum was suffering from strained ligaments around the elbow and forearm. The injury wasn't deemed to be severe, and Andrews gave Marcum the go-ahead to begin a throwing program as soon as Saturday.
According to the team's website, there's still no established timetable for Marcum's return. He is eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list in time for Toronto's July 4-6 road series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but it's more likely that the Blue Jays will take extra precaution, meaning Marcum could be sidelined until around the All-Star break July 14-16.
Blue Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg said Saturday that Marcum had been nursing the strain for a couple of weeks.
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"We knew there was something in there but it never altered him from pitching,” Arnsberg said. “He always took the ball and we kept guarding it and we told him we had the option of shutting him down if we felt he needed it."
In 15 starts this season, Marcum has a 5-4 record. His 2.65 ERA is the third-best mark in the American League and the sixth-lowest among starters in the majors. Marcum also leads the AL with a .198 opponents' batting average and is second on Toronto's staff with 86 strikeouts.
