Blue Jays reliever Brett Cecil has inflamed shoulder

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) Blue Jays reliever Brett Cecil has an inflamed shoulder but is expected to resume throwing next week.

Cecil is entering his seventh season with the Blue Jays and is bidding to become their closer. The left-hander missed a scheduled appearance Friday against Baltimore because of a tender shoulder. He requested a precautionary MRI and was encouraged by the results.

He said Saturday he is starting to feel better. He doesn't plan to resume throwing until Tuesday and hopes to be in a game by next weekend.

A longer absence than expected would force Toronto to re-evaluate the role of Aaron Sanchez, who is being used as a starter this spring. Sanchez finished last season as the closer.