Michael Saunders, Blue Jays outfielder, shut down for season: report

Michael Saunders, the Toronto Blue Jays' projected starting left-fielder entering spring training, will sit out the balance of the season.

The team reportedly is shutting down the 28-year-old Victoria native who has been bothered by a sore left knee since undergoing surgery to have 60 per cent of his meniscus removed.

Saunders, who stepped on a sprinkler head during an informal workout in Dunedin, Fla., and missed the entire pre-season, posted a .194 batting average in nine games for the Blue Jays this season with three runs batted in and 10 strikeouts.

Toronto put him on the 15-day disabled list on May 10 with inflammation in the knee and Saunders never returned to game action, but was said to be making progress in his recovery.

Saunders was acquired from Seattle on Dec. 3 for left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ, who was dealt to Pittsburgh on July 31 for fellow pitcher Adrian Sampson.

Saunders has battled injury and inconsistent play in recent years, but he hit 19 home runs and stole 21 bases in a career-high 139 games in 2012.

He entered the 2015 campaign with a .248 batting average since then and 39 homers in 349 games.

Happ, meanwhile, has a combined 4-7 record and 4.64 earned-run average in 23 games (22 starts) for the Mariners and Pirates after going 11-11 with a 4.22 ERA in 30 games (26 starts) for Toronto last season.