Top Blue Jays pitching prospect finally begins rehab

The Slovak-born pitching prospect has been out ever since he suffered a torn meniscus in Spring Training. Initially, it was thought he would be the number seven or eight starter behind Jake Bloss and Adam Kloffenstein but he has yet to pitch a game this season.

Macko was projected to potentially join the Blue Jays mid-season. While that is still possible, his injury has obviously delayed his potential debut as the Jays would like to see how he performs before calling upon his services.

Entering Spring, the Blue Jays were thought to have significant starting pitching depth with Bloss, Easton Lucas, Macko, Kloffenstein, and Eric Lauer. Macko and Kloffenstein have both dealt with injuries, Lauer is now with the big league as a long reliever and can't be sent down without being exposed to waivers first.

Lucas made two great starts at the big league level before imploding in his next two, and Bloss has had an up-and-down season with Buffalo. Paxton Schultz is emerging as an option, but he has all of two major league appearances, neither of them starts.

Getting Macko back would only deepen the Blue Jays rotation depth and the fact that he is a left-hander could give him an edge over prospects.

Depending on how his rehab goes, Macko still could join the Blue Jays at some point this season. With the recent additions of Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urena, there is less urgency and the Blue Jays have always approached their pitching prospects with caution.

And yet, having more options is never a bad thing.