Toronto Blue Jays David Cooper is out at third base after being tagged by Boston Red Sox Kevin Youkilis during the fifth inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Toronto, June 3, 2012.Reuters
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman David Cooper won't be at spring training this year due to a serious back injury, the club announced Sunday.
Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Tyson Brummett has been added to the big league camp as a non-roster invitee, rather than reporting to the Jays' minor league camp.
Cooper is seeing specialists, hoping for help with a disc issue.
"It's going to be longer than we were hoping," said manager John Gibbons. "So that's bad news."
Cooper split last season between Toronto and triple-A Las Vegas. He hit .300 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 140 at-bats in 45 games with the Jays in 2012.
Brummett was claimed off waivers from the Phillies in October.
He went 26-47 with a 4.52 earned-run average over six minor league seasons in the Philadelphia system, with 83 starts and 194 appearances.