Blue Jays’ Lopez develops groin soreness at WBC, Hutchison listed as day-to-day

Toronto Blue Jays prospect Otto Lopez developed groin soreness playing for Canada at the World Baseball Classic and will be reevaluated in a few days, according to Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling.

He will not need to undergo an MRI.

As many Canadian MLB stars declined to participate in the WBC, Lopez played an increasingly important role for the team, hitting an impressive three-run homer to help the Canadians earn their second victory of the tournament against Colombia. Canada was eliminated by Mexico one game later.

The former international free agent signed with the Blue Jays in 2016 and has since spent the majority of his time playing in the minor leagues, making his major league debut in August of 2021. Lopez played most of the 2022 season with the Buffalo Bisons but is on track to make the Blue Jays’ 2023 roster.

Blue Jays minor league pitcher Drew Hutchison has also been sidelined with oblique tightness, listed as day-to-day after an MRI did not reveal any structural damage.

Hutchison, 32, signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays following a ten-year MLB career spanning nine teams. He made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2012 and played the next four seasons within the organization before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

According to Zwelling, Blue Jays top prospect Ricky Tiedemann — who’s been dealing with a sore shoulder — is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.

The 20-year-old pitcher has been limited to flat ground work over the last week.

More from Sportsnet

What Blue Jays history says about Tiedemann’s shot at impacting this year’s team

At the Letters: Questions arise for Blue Jays as WBC unfolds

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