Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told John Lott of Canada’s National Post on Sunday that infielder Maicer Izturis will open the 2015 regular season on the 15-day disabled list because of a groin strain.
Izturis suffered the injury in Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He had been the favorite for the Blue Jays’ Opening Day second base gig, which will now go to either Ryan Goins, Steve Tolleson, or newcomer Devon Travis.
Travis, acquired from the Tigers in November for outfielder Anthony Gose, batted .298/.358/.460 with 10 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 100 games last season at Double-A Erie. The 24-year-old was rated Detroit’s top prospect by Baseball America just a few days before the team shipped him to Toronto.