Gausman (shoulder) struck out seven and allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks over three-plus innings Monday in his Grapefruit League start against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

After he experienced shoulder fatigue earlier this month and had his throwing progression slowed as a result, Gausman was finally cleared to make his spring debut in the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League finale. The right-hander seemed to quell any concerns about his readiness for the start of the regular season, as he built up to 52 pitches and induced eight swinging strikes while sporting a fastball that sat at around 95 miles per hour, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. Unless Gausman reports renewed discomfort in his shoulder coming out of Monday's start, he should avoid a stint on the injured list and will likely take the bump for Toronto when a fifth starter is first needed April 1 in Houston. Gausman is likely to be limited to around 65-to-70 pitches in that outing, but he may still be worth including in fantasy lineups since he would tentatively line up for a two-start week, with the second turn coming April 7 on the road versus the Yankees.

Gausman (shoulder) will start the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League finale Monday versus the Pirates and expects to throw around three innings or 55 pitches, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman will be making his spring debut Monday after he received the green light to start following a successful side session Saturday. Though the veteran right-hander still won't be fully built up even if Monday's outing goes smoothly, the Blue Jays are optimistic that it will be enough for him to avoid a stint on the 15-day injured list to open the season. Manager John Schneider has already confirmed Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi as the starters for the Blue Jays' first three games of the team's season-opening series with the Rays that begins Thursday, while Bowden Francis tentatively lines up to take the hill for Sunday's series finale. That would position Gausman to start the Blue Jays' fifth game of the season, an April 1 road matchup with the Astros. Davidi speculates that he would likely be in line for 65-to-70 pitches in Houston, targeting a more typical starter's workload by his third start of the season.

Gausman (shoulder) is expected to throw 60-to-65 pitches in Monday's Grapefruit League finale against the Pirates, which might be enough to convince the Blue Jays he doesn't need to begin the regular season on the injured list, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since Gausman reported arm fatigue earlier in the spring, the assumption has been that he would miss the beginning of the season, but the veteran right-hander said his arm felt fine after throwing two innings in a simulated game Wednesday. If he works up to 60-plus pitches Monday, the team may decide to include him in the initial rotation, albeit on a restricted pitch count for his first couple trips to the mound. The other option would be a brief IL stint while he continues to build up in extended spring training. Gausman admitted Wednesday he'd prefer to toss at least 75 pitches in an outing before making his first regular-season start, and the Jays have every incentive to be cautious with their ace, so a slightly delayed start to his campaign is still more likely. If he misses only one turn, he could make his season debut March 3 in Houston, but a home start March 9 against the Mariners might be a more plausible timeline.

Gausman (shoulder) felt good after a 36-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.careports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander continues to ramp up his workload after a bout of shoulder fatigue slowed him down in early March. The next step for Gausman is to get into a game, with the goal being to progress to 60-to-65 pitches across three innings early next week. The 33-year-old won't be ready for Opening Day, but at this rate he should be able to join Toronto's rotation within the first couple weeks of the season.

Gausman (shoulder) will throw a two-inning simulated game Wednesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman is continuing his ramp-up progression as he works his way back from right shoulder fatigue. The veteran hurler will not be ready for Opening Day, an assignment that will now fall to Jose Berrios. Gausman could be ready for his season debut around mid-April.

Gausman (shoulder) is unlikely to be available for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman has made nice progress since experiencing some right shoulder fatigue, but the Blue Jays just don't want to push him to be ready for Opening Day. The right-hander will throw one inning of live batting practice Friday and continue to build up from there. Regarding the pace of Gausman's buildup, manager John Schneider said Friday that "if that means 30 starts as opposed to 32, we'll be pretty happy with that." That would seem to indicate a rough timeline of mid-April for Gausman's season debut. Bowden Francis already looks like a lock for Toronto's rotation with Alek Manoah (shoulder) out, and now there's room for someone else to step in. Mitch White, Chad Dallas and Paolo Espino are the main candidates for that spot.

Gausman (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday and could progress to facing hitters next, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

If Tuesday's session goes well, Gausman would then either move on to a live batting practice session or perhaps a Grapefruit League game. The right-hander has made nice progress since experiencing some shoulder fatigue and remains optimistic about his readiness for Opening Day.

Gausman (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a side session Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

The bullpen will mark Gausman's first time throwing off a mound since he first experienced fatigue in his right shoulder roughly a week ago. Despite the injury, Gausman still expects to be ready for Opening Day. A Cy Young finalist in the American League last season, Gausman won't be able to afford a setback if he is to start the season on time.

Gausman (shoulder) said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Friday that he would be ready for the start of the regular season, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman has been slowed by right shoulder fatigue recently but seems unconcerned, believing he just tried to ramp things up too quickly. The right-hander has resumed flat-ground work and is aiming to throw off a mound by Monday. It's possible the Blue Jays won't ask Gausman to start Opening Day if he needs a little more time to get ready, but at this point it looks like he will avoid the injured list.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that the club hopes Gausman (shoulder) will be ready to throw off a mound by Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

That date would mark 17 days before Opening Day, which doesn't give Gausman a ton of runway to get ramped back up if he wants to start that day. The veteran right-hander does appear to be trending in a positive direction as he works his way back from right shoulder fatigue and will look to take another step forward early next week.