Gausman threw live batting practice Sunday and will do one more such session before making his first spring start, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman is seemingly a little behind the rest of the Jays starters, as Easton Lucas is currently working in Gausman's spot in the Jays' Grapefruit League rotation. It sounds like Gausman is on track to potentially make his first spring start next week. He showed up to camp intentionally carrying more weight because he says he loses weight throughout the MLB season and wanted to better hold up over the full season. In 2024, he had his lowest strikeout rate (21.4 percent) since 2018 and his highest walk rate (7.4 percent) since 2017.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Gausman looks "sturdier" in spring training after the right-hander deliberately put on added weight over the offseason, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. "I've never really pitched an entire season at over 200 pounds, but I think that might be a possibility for me this year," Gausman said. "We'll see what happens. I usually always lose a good amount of weight during the season, so that's why I try to gain as much as I can, knowing I'll lose some of it."

EDGE Analysis

Gausman is listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds on the Blue Jays' official roster, and he's hopeful that by bulking up during the offseason through both his diet and strength training, he'll be able to maintain that weight over the course of the long season. The 34-year-old righty is also optimistic that a sturdier build will boost his odds of staying healthy and having something closer to a normal spring training in 2025. While he didn't go on the injured list at any point in 2024, a bout with shoulder fatigue early in camp slowed his ramp-up process and may have played a part in the steep drop in both his ERA (3.83) and strikeout rate (21.4 percent) compared to his first two seasons in Toronto (3.25 ERA, 29.7 K%).

Gausman (14-11) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over six innings in a 6-1 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

It's been a disappointing campaign overall for Gausman, but the 33-year-old righty still tied his career high in wins with a sharp performance in his last outing. The quality start was his 16th of the season, and Gausman gave up three earned runs or less in his last nine trips to the mound, posting a 2.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 43:20 K:BB through 56.2 innings over that stretch. The loss of strikeouts is a worrying sign -- his 21.4 percent K rate in 2024 is a huge drop from the 31.1 percent mark he posted the year before -- but he's still expected to head into spring training next season as one of the veteran anchors for Toronto's rotation.

Gausman (back) is listed as the Blue Jays' probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox in Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman was in the midst of a no-hitter his last time out Thursday versus the Rangers before he was lifted after five innings due to back tightness. He said after the start that he was feeling better while suggesting that his early exit was precautionary more than anything, and the Blue Jays' decision to include him in the pitching schedule for the final week of the season seemingly verifies as much. Gausman has been in peak form with the season winding down, as he's produced a 2.03 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB over 50.2 innings across his last eight starts.

Gausman said after Thursday's game versus Texas that he isn't too concerned about his lower-back issue and expects to make his next scheduled start, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman added that he first felt his back tighten up on him while throwing warm-up pitches, and his lack of concern suggests that his removal after five hitless innings was likely a precautionary decision. He'll carry a 3.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP into his start against the Red Sox next week, which will most likely be his final appearance of 2024.

Gausman was removed from Thursday's game against the Rangers due to lower-back tightness.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman was able to get through five shutout innings on just 58 pitches while striking out six batters and walking one before his back forced him to make an early departure. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but the Jays will certainly keep a close eye on him leading up to his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Gausman allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks over seven frames during a no-decision Friday. He struck out three in the extra-innings win over St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman got off to a rocky start, giving up four straight singles to begin the contest. He didn't allow another run after that frame and, at one point, retired 11 straight Cardinals. He's struck out five or fewer batters in seven of his last eight starts, resulting in a disappointing 36:19 K:BB over 50.1 innings. Gausman is sporting a 4.02 ERA with a 153:52 K:BB through 170 innings this season. He's currently in line for a road start against the Rangers next week.

Gausman (12-11) took the loss Friday against Atlanta, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Despite being tagged with the loss, the veteran right-hander faired well against Atlanta in this 109-pitch outing, allowing just one extra-base hit -- a Jorge Soler double in the sixth inning. Gausman generated a solid 15 whiffs, including 10 alone on his splitter, and picked up his 14th quality start of the season. After pitching to a middling 4.50 ERA in the first half, the 33-year-old has been much sharper since the All-Star break, going 5-3 with a 3.35 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 46:23 K:BB across 59 innings. He lines up to make his next start against the Mets at home.

Gausman (12-10) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays were downed 2-0 by the Twins, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran righty fought his control at times, tossing only 58 of 103 pitches for strikes, and the inefficiency cost him his 14th quality start of the season. Despite the loss, Gausman turned things around in August, posting a 2.20 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB over his last five outings and 32.2 innings. He'll try to extend his hot streak in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Atlanta.

Gausman (12-9) allowed a run on two hits and struck out 10 without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman has dominated the Angels in two of his last three starts, once in Anaheim and once in Toronto. This was the fourth time this year he's reached double digits in strikeouts. The only run on his line Sunday came on a Zach Neto RBI single in the fourth inning. Gausman has four quality starts over his last six outings, and he's gone at least seven innings in each of those quality starts. For the year, the Blue Jays' ace is at a 4.10 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 141:43 K:BB through 151.1 innings over 26 starts. He's projected to make his next start on the road at Minnesota.