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.