Article content continued

“Can’t take a chance,” Gibbons said.

Stroman’s teammate, right-hander Aaron Sanchez, is on the disabled list with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.

Oakland pitcher Jharel Cotton, Arizona righty Taijuan Walker and Miami lefty Justin Nicolino are among the major league pitchers who left outings or missed time recently due to blisters. David Price and Noah Syndergaard had them crop up this year, too.

Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images

“I’ve never had a blister ever in my life. Nothing even remotely close,” Stroman said after Toronto’s 6-3 loss. “It’s crazy. It’s extremely frustrating. Extremely frustrating.”

With hitters setting records for home run totals throughout the majors this season, some have theorized the baseball must be “juiced.”

But a doctored ball causing blisters on pitchers? That might be a first — although Stroman didn’t quite go that far.

For decades, blisters have been problematic for certain pitchers. They can be the result of fingers tightly gripping or continuously rubbing on the ball, especially along the seams to create tight spin and extra movement.

Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Rich Hill has missed extensive time with recurring blisters. Ex-pitcher Al Leiter was among those who struggled with them early in his career.

Suggested remedies — some real, some mystical — have included everything from pickle brine and aloe vera to old-fashioned Elmer’s Glue.

Stroman, the MVP of the World Baseball Classic for Team USA in March, took the loss Monday despite allowing only two runs. He is 8-5 with a 3.42 ERA.

“That was the best I’ve felt all year. I feel like I’ve honestly hit my stride right now,” he said. “I feel the strongest I’ve been all year. So to come out at that point when I feel like I was rolling, it’s pretty frustrating. Gibby obviously leaned on the side of being more cautious, and it’s hard to argue with that.”

Stroman grew up on Long Island about 55 miles from Yankee Stadium and said he had about 15 friends and family members in the stands Monday.

“I’m going to do everything in my power to not miss my next start against Houston. I’ll be back out there in five days,” he said.