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Marcus Stroman is back on the Blue Jays active roster. Per Shi Davidi, the Blue Jays added three additional players for the stretch run:
With season over for triple-A #Bisons, #BlueJays adding three more Sept callups: Marcus Stroman, Steve Delabar and Matt Hague
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) September 7, 2015
Stroman, 24, suffered a "season-ending" torn ACL in early March. The loss of Stroman for the 2015 season was so significant that many media outlets claimed the Blue Jays could no longer be considered contenders. Though an ordinary recovery time would end Stroman's season entirely, Marcus quickly showcased he was far from ordinary. He completely shattered recovery expectations to make a September return a possibility.
Returning in 2015 as a reliever would have been an incredible accomplishment. Unfortunately, having Stroman return as a starter was more of a dream than a reality. Even the optimistic Mike Wilner could not see Marcus returning as a starter:
Wilner may be right but how could anyone not love Stroman? pic.twitter.com/9zEirbK9GW
— Sports Masochist (@CarcelMousineau) June 22, 2015
Yet here we are in September, with Stroman becoming a possible starter for a major upcoming series against the division-rival New York Yankees. The "no longer contender" Blue Jays just happen to be leading the AL East, with a strong need for an addition that could separate the team from the Yankees. If Stroman can get anywhere to close to his 2014 self, the "StroShow" could be must-watch entertainment:
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Infielder Matt Hague and right-handed reliever Steve Delabar will join Stroman in Toronto. Hague, the MVP of the International League, could be a strong bat off of the bench. Delabar, a former all star for the Blue Jays, could be used in low-medium leverage situations out of the bullpen.