Blue Jays lose Shoemaker (ACL) for season
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Matt Shoemaker will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ACL in his left knee, the team announced Sunday.
Shoemaker, 32, was off to a terrific start this season with a 3-0 record and a 1.57 ERA in five games. He injured his knee on a freak play Saturday while chasing after the Oakland Athletics' Matt Chapman in a rundown.
Trainers visited Shoemaker after he fell to the ground in pain after the play. He repeatedly punched the infield grass in frustration.
It was the latest setback for the veteran, who made only seven starts with the Los Angeles Angels last season because of a forearm strain. He also fractured his skull in 2016 when a line drive hit him in the head.
"You can't put words to it,'' Shoemaker told reporters. "Extremely frustrated, but at the same time, I just have to stay positive. I know I'm really upset right now -- I just got the news. But stay positive, keep fighting, get this thing right and be back when it's ready to go.''
In 106 career games (98 starts), Shoemaker is 43-32 with a 3.81 ERA. He spent six seasons with the Angels before joining Toronto this year on a one-year deal.
--Field Level Media
