TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 26: Marcus Stroman #54 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles on September 26, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays plan to activate right-hander Marcus Stroman from the disabled list to start Saturday.
Stroman was believed to be lost for the season when he tore the ACL in his left knee during spring training. However, he has progressed much more quickly than expected.
In minor league rehab starts, Stroman was 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.
As a rookie in 2014, Stroman went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 26 games (20 starts).
Stroman will replace left-hander Mark Buehrle in the Blue Jays' rotation Saturday. According to the National Post, Buehrle has been sent back to Toronto to receive a cortisone shot in his shoulder.
The AL East-leading Blue Jays begin play Wednesday with a half-game lead over the New York Yankees.
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