Loup (elbow) seems to be close to returning from the disabled list, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager John Gibbons hinted at Loup's return Wednesday, saying that he could be the player who joins the roster when the Blue Jays decide to go back to a seven-man bullpen. The left-hander hasn't allowed a run in two rehab appearances with Triple-A Buffalo, so he seems to be back in good health. There hasn't been any official move yet, but there is some speculation that Loup could be activated within the next few days.

Loup (elbow) will begin his rehab assignment at High-A Dunedin on Saturday, Barry Davis of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Loup has been working his way back from a forearm strain he suffered early in spring training, but he has made significant strides of late and he's ready to head out on a rehab assignment. He'll begin at High-A on Saturday and will have up to 20 days of time on his assignment prior to being activated from the disabled list.

Loup (elbow) threw 10 pitches in an inning Tuesday in an extended spring game and as long as there are no problems, he is scheduled to start a rehab assignment with Advanced-A Dunedin as the final step before being activated, the Toronto Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty reliever missed all of spring training this year with a strained flexor muscle in his left forearm, but that pain is gone now. As soon as he's ready rejoin the Jays, Loup will be welcomed back with open arms as the bullpen has struggled immensely in the early portion of the season.

Loup (elbow) will throw off a mound Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Loup said that if Monday's session goes well, he will head to extended spring training, where he'll likely begin facing hitters. The lefty, who struck out 46 batters in 42.1 innings last season, could be back with the Blue Jays by mid-May.

Loup will throw a bullpen session Friday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Loup was sidelined in early March with a flexor tendon strain, but he's made steady progress since then. He played catch off flat ground in mid-March, threw from 90 feet several weeks ago, and is now set to throw a bullpen session. While he's still smack in the middle of his rehab program, he's showing positive signs and is approaching a return to the Blue Jays sometime in May.

Loup (elbow) was able to throw from 90 feet Sunday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Loup said he's no longer experiencing any pain in his elbow after he was diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain early in spring training, but because of the extensive time he missed, it may take him a little longer before he comes off the DL. He'll likely expand his throwing distance in the coming days before perhaps tossing a bullpen session.

Loup (elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 25 on Saturday, Toronto play-by-play announcer Mike Wilner reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Blue Jays officially placed several of their injured players on the DL Saturday with retroactive dates. Loup's recovery from a flexor strain has had a couple starts and stops, and it became apparent Friday that the veteran lefty would have to start the season on the disabled list. Once he begins ramping up his activity, his timetable for a return should come into focus.

Loup (elbow) is starting over in his recovery from a flexor strain, and he will start the season on the DL, John Lott of VICE Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

He had started to throw, then felt mild pain in his elbow and had a cortisone shot Tuesday, and now says the elbow feels fine. It was apparently some sore of impingement, but now that he is feeling better he will begin a throwing program Saturday. There is no timetable for his return, but late April seems like the most likely scenario at this point.

Loup (forearm) threw off flat ground Thursday but is still without a timetable to begin throwing off of a mound and will not be ready for the start of the season, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is the left-hander's first time throwing a baseball since straining his flexor tendon earlier this month. Loup is making steady progress, but he'll have to wait awhile before pitching in a game again. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Loup has been ruled out for the start of the season, which opens the door for lefties such as Randy Choate, Chad Girodo, and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte to take his spot as the second lefty behind Brett Cecil.

Loup has been diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain and will be shut down for two weeks, Sportsnet's Barry Davis reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Loup's injury will cost him two weeks of preparation and could land him on the disabled list to open the season, the good news is doctors did not find any ligament damage in his forearm, so he is not looking at a lengthy recovery period.