Blue Jays Announce Dylan Cease News After Leaving Pirates Game

The Toronto Blue Jays pitching staff has not been at full strength at any point this regular season. Fortunately for them, their biggest offseason addition, right-hander Dylan Cease, has been everything they hoped for and more.

Cease signed a massive seven-year, $175 million contract this past winter, and he has delivered an outstanding first two months in Toronto.

Through his first 10 starts, the 30-year-old veteran has posted a 2.98 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. He once again took the mound Sunday for the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, looking to help Toronto complete the sweep.

Unfortunately, Cease left the game early. After recording the first two outs in the top of the fifth inning, he appeared to suffer a lower body injury and was seen walking around in discomfort.

He threw a few warm-up pitches after a brief visit from manager John Schneider and the training staff, and he initially remained in the game. Just a few pitches later, however, he was removed.

Left-hander Mason Fluharty, who had begun warming up during the initial mound visit, entered in his place. Cease finished with 76 pitches, allowing two runs and striking out eight before exiting.

Moments later, the Blue Jays announced the reason for his early departure. "UPDATE: RHP Dylan Cease was removed from today's game with mild left hamstring discomfort," the team wrote on X.

UPDATE: RHP Dylan Cease was removed from today's game with mild left hamstring discomfort.

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 24, 2026

Part of why Toronto invested so heavily in Cease this past winter was his durability. He entered 2026 having made at least 30 starts in five consecutive seasons.

If Cease is forced to miss time, it would be a significant blow to a rotation already lacking depth pieces. Jose Berrios is out for the season, while veterans Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer are currently on the 15-day injured list.

The Blue Jays will hope this setback is not serious, because losing their ace for any length of time would put even more pressure on a pitching staff that has already been tested all year.

Related: Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk Update Emerges Before Pirates Game

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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 11:25 AM.