Oakland A's injury: Sonny Gray scratched from Thursday start with back spasms

Oakland A's ace right-hander Sonny Gray was scheduled to pitch Thursday morning against the Blue Jays in Toronto, but he has been scratched from his start with back spasms, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Slusser adds that the problem likely isn't serious enough to cost Sonny more than a few days, but it's still a bummer for A's fans who just suffered through two rough games and were hoping to show Toronto the one nice thing we do have.

Sonny is shining bright right now. In his last six starts, he's thrown three complete games (two shutouts) and posted a 1.72 ERA in 47 frames. Overall this year, he boasts a 2.06 ERA, the best in the American League, in 23 starts. He previously missed his turn on June 30 when he was hospitalized with salmonella-like symptoms, but he returned after an 11-day layoff to help beat the Yankees and then throw a shutout against Cleveland because that's how Sonny rolls. I assume the back spasms are a result of carrying the entire team.

Jesse Chavez will pitch in Sonny's place on Thursday in Toronto. Chavez was originally picked up from the Jays back in 2012, so this will be a game against his most recent former team. He's been struggling lately but was impressive in his last outing, tossing seven innings against the Astros and allowing only one run.

Today's A's lineup. Jesse Chavez takes the mound in place of Sonny Gray, who was scratched due to back spasms. pic.twitter.com/SWA9E9bVFs

— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) August 13, 2015

Don't worry, A's fans, this is just a small bump in the road. We're certainly used to those by now.