Blue Jays' Maicer Izturis out for season following shoulder surgery

Maicer Izturis has been plagued by injuries throughout his time in Toronto and a shoulder injury might end his season. Izturis underwent right shoulder surgery, and according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet, Izturis will likely be out for remainder of the 2015 season as a result of the operation.

Izturis, 34, was rehabbing from a right groin strain that landed him on the disabled list earlier this season before injuring his shoulder on May 23. His latest injury will likely end his tenure with the Blue Jays.

While the Blue Jays were confident he would bounce back and have success in 2015, Izturis has not made an appearance in a major league game since last April, when he tore a ligament in his knee as a result of falling down dugout steps. He played in five games during his most recent rehab assignment with Single-A, batting .231/.333/.231 over 15 plate appearances.

After Izturis had offensive success with the Angels, the Blue Jays opted to sign him to a three-year, $10 million free agent contract in November 2012. Nicholson-Smith adds it was the largest free agent signing under General Manager Alex Anthopoulos at the time and the deal includes a $3 million club option for the 2016 season with a $1 million buyout. Considering his health issues, Toronto is not expected to exercise the option. He batted .240/.291/.310 118 games in his time with the Blue Jays.

Although Izturis was thought to be a notably valuable piece at second base, Devon Travis' early success (.271 through 36 games) could result in him being named Toronto's starting second baseman moving forward. Travis is rehabbing with Triple-A Buffalo and is expected to be back with the Blue Jays within a week.

When Travis is activated from the disabled list and is no longer bothered by a shoulder injury, Ryan Goins will return to continue to serve as the club's utility infielder. Toronto may opt to either have a big bench or seven man bullpen at that point, as Nicholson-Smith points out.