Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Stripling was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday against the Yankees after developing right forearm tightness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Toronto will call on T.J. Zeuch to make a spot start on short notice after Montoyo said Stripling "couldn't get the forearm to get loose" while he went through a workout Wednesday morning, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The Blue Jays are labeling Stripling as day-to-day for the time being and are holding out hope that he can miss only one turn through the rotation, but a trip to the 10-day injured list looks to be a strong possibility.

Stripling is no longer scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Yankees, as the Blue Jays will instead have T.J. Zeuch take the mound, Ben Wagner of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo is scheduled to meet with the media prior to Wednesday's 1:07 p.m. ET opening pitch, so an explanation behind the decision to scratch Stripling should come shortly. Stripling had previously made two starts for Toronto, posting a 7.56 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB across 8.1 innings.

Stripling had a no-decision as he allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings of work in a loss to the Angels on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The righty has struggled for the Blue Jays so far, being unable to make it more than five innings in either appearance. The 31-year-old threw only 46 of his 70 pitches for strikes, with his final earned run allowed being on a homer to the best hitter in the game, Mike Trout. Stripling is still looking to return to his 2019 form, where he recorded a 3.47 ERA. His next opportunity to take the rubber will be on Tuesday against the Yankees.

Stripling (0-1) lasted just 3.1 innings Saturday against the Yankees, picking up the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Stripling's rotation spot may be a temporary one, as he could head to the bullpen once Robbie Ray (elbow) and Nate Pearson (groin) are healthy. He certainly didn't help his case to stick around during his season debut. A two-out rally led to the Yankees' first run on a DJ LeMahieu single in the second inning. He then allowed a solo shot to Gary Sanchez to open the fourth inning before being pulled after he allowed two more batters to reach base.

Manager Charlie Montoyo confirmed Stripling would start the Blue Jays' second game of the season Saturday against the Yankees in New York, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heading into the spring, Stripling looked to be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, but injuries to Robbie Ray (elbow) and Nate Pearson (groin) allowed him to claim a starting role. In order to keep the Blue Jays' other starters on their normal throwing schedules, Stripling will be slotting into Ray's No. 2 spot in the rotation to begin the season. Though Stripling was effective this spring with a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB in 14.1 innings, the matchup versus a potent Yankees offense makes it difficult to justify keeping him active this week in most fantasy leagues.

Stripling threw 68 pitches over 3.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, and the right-hander is expected to toss around 80 pitches in his final spring outing, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nate Pearson's groin injury has pushed Stripling into the Jays' initial rotation plans, and he hasn't needed much time to get stretched out in response. His 5.19 spring ERA looks shaky, but his 9:1 K:BB over 8.2 innings is much more promising, and the 31-year-old could prove to be a useful streaming option for fantasy purposes while he's in the rotation. Prior to his 2020 struggles, Stripling posted a 3.51 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over his first four seasons while filling a swingman role for the Dodgers.

Stripling is now the favorite to open the year as the Blue Jays' fifth starter following Nate Pearson's groin setback, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stripling looked like he could be the odd man out heading into camp, but now he may get at least a turn or two in the rotation until Pearson gets healthy. He hasn't officially been named the fifth starter, as Thomas Hatch, Anthony Kay and T.J. Zeuch are also in the mix, but Stripling appears to have a clear edge. Whoever wins Toronto's fifth starter job is likely to open with starts against the Rangers, Angels and Royals.

Stripling worked two scoreless frames Wednesday versus the Orioles in his Grapefruit League debut. He scattered three hits and issued no walks while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Stripling's control was on point throughout the afternoon, as he peppered in 28 of his 38 pitches for strikes, per Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star. Though Stripling worked as a swingman for the Blue Jays last season upon coming over from the Dodgers at the trade deadline, Toronto team president Mark Shapiro said Tuesday that he projects the right-hander to begin the 2021 campaign as a member of the rotation, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca. Stripling's hold on a starting role could slip once Nate Pearson (groin) is fully healthy, however.

Stripling (personal) will arrive at camp Wednesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stripling has been away from the team due to the birth of his child. A Wednesday arrival means he'll still have more than a month to get ready for Opening Day, so the delay shouldn't significantly impact his push for a rotation spot.

Stripling has yet to arrive at camp while awaiting the birth of his child, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stripling is expected to compete for a back-end rotation spot to begin the regular season, but he'll be unavailable for the start of spring training. The right-hander served as a swingman during his first year with the Blue Jays in 2020, posting a 5.84 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 49.1 innings across 12 appearances (nine starts). It's not yet clear when Stripling will arrive at camp, but his wife is expecting a baby "very soon."