Former St. Louis Cardinal Colby Rasmus received his 2011 World Series ring on Wednesday in New York. The ring was delivered by the Cardinals’ former manager Tony La Russa, who now works in New York City at Major League Baseball’s Commissioners’ Office.

Rasmus was traded to Toronto midway through the 2011 season, following public spats with La Russa. Earlier this season, Tony Rasmus, Colby’s father, said the relationship between his son and the Hall of Fame manager became so toxic that he asked to be traded.

“I can’t speak to their relationship, but I know that any time you’re involved in a team that’s won a World Series it’s such a rare opportunity, it’s a rare accomplishment, and I think it’s one heck of a gesture that Tony would come here personally to deliver it to him,” Jays’ manager John Farrell said before Wednesday’s game.

But it seems La Russa simply dropped it off for Rasmus. The two didn’t talk.

“No, I didn’t see him,” Rasmus said at his locker in the visitor’s clubhouse. “I told them to tell him I appreciated it ... no big deal.”

Rasmus, 25, has emerged this season as one of the game’s premier young centrefielders.

Any player who plays a single game for a championship-winning team is entitled to a World Series ring.

JAYS’ INJURY UPDATES

• RHP Brandon Morrow will throw his third controlled bullpen session on Thursday, followed by live batting practice on Monday, which if all goes well, will put him on schedule to make his first rehab start late next week. That first rehab start will likely only be an inning or two and from there he would be at least 20 days away from returning to the Jays, which would put his comeback at late August or early September.

• RHP Drew Hutchison remains in a “no-throw” situation until July 27th, when he will start to play catch.

• LHP Luis Perez underwent successful Tommy John surgery earlier this week to repair his torn UCL.

• RHP Sergio Santos will visit Dr. Lewis Yocum in California on Thursday and will schedule his season-ending shoulder surgery then.

• RHP Dustin McGowan continues to rehabilitate his injured right shoulder at the team’s spring-training complex in Dunedin, Fla. “He continues to forge ahead,” Jays’ manager John Farrell said. “His personal resolve has not wavered. His work ethic, his determination, certainly it’s there.”

The oft-injured McGowan, 29, was hoping to return to the Jays’ rotation this year, but injured his right foot in spring training and then suffered a shoulder injury while rehabbing his foot. Earlier this week McGowan met with a doctor who ruled out a blood clot and circulation issues as causing his pain. “There are days he’s OK and there are days when he feels it,” Farrell said, adding that he is day-to-day in terms of throwing.

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