After missing last season to COVID-19, Will Robertson entered this year as part of the High-A Vancouver Canadians ready to go but his season was sidetracked by a thumb injury. Now, he’s eager to return to the diamond.

“I had a slow start but I felt good about how things were going,” said Robertson, who has three hits and two RBI to his credit thus far in the 2021 campaign. “I had three hits in a row and finally felt like I was getting my feet under me after having a whole year off.”

After a stellar career at Fatima, and then three years at Creighton University, the 23-year-old, 6-foot-2, 215-pound right fielder was drafted in the fourth round by the Toronto Blue Jays on June 11, 2019.

Because the border is closed to travel into Canada, Vancouver worked out an arrangement to play its home games in Hillsboro, Ore. Robertson said he enjoys the change in the weekly schedule.

Instead of playing three-game series, the team plays six games a week, with Monday as a guaranteed day off.

It was in his first home game against the Spokane Indians, an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, that Robertson was injured after making a diving catch toward the line.

“It felt like I jammed it,” said Robertson.

An x-ray revealed a bone chip, and an MRI confirmed that the UCL tendon had pulled away from the bone. After consultation with several doctors, it was decided he would need surgery to repair the damage as soon as possible.

Robertson was injured on May 11 and it took a while to get everything lined up, with surgery taking place June 1. Due to the lack of equipment in Oregon, the surgery and his recovery took place in Florida.

Last season, Robertson reported for spring training on March 3 in Dunedin, Fla., and early, there was little concern that MLB and its affiliates would cancel anything. However, as the NCAA started dropping games and the NBA canceled, Robertson said he knew it was serious.

“The MLB stepped up and did its part, which I understand,” he said at the time.

Now, the impact of not having a season is playing a role in the health of players. “Pitchers spent the year just throwing off a short mound and there was no game experience,” said Robertson. “We’ve seen a lot of injuries just because of the change from practice to live games.”

He does not believe that was related to his injury. “I just hit the ground wrong,” he said, noting his conditioning and workouts have been consistent. “This spring in Florida was another good experience. I felt really good.”

In 2019, after being assigned to Vancouver, Robertson found a way to make it happen, finishing the year with a BA of .268 (61-228) with six home runs, a triple, and 11 doubles while driving in 33 and walking 31 times. He stole one base and had 92 TBs in 61 games during the High-A short season.

Playing this year in the High-A ranks, Robertson said he was focused on moving to AA. “I wanted to put myself in a position to get to AAA ball,” he said. “I just want to perform well enough to get called up.”

The season began May 4 and ends Sept. 19, with 120 games on the schedule, which means there’s still plenty of time to make his mark this year.

To facilitate movement from one level to another, however, Robertson had to seriously consider vaccination.

“All of us had the opportunity to get vaccinated and about 90 percent of us did,” said Robertson, who was administered the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. “I didn’t know the impact it would have or what side effects might show up.”

Robertson got the shot in April and later that evening he had a fever of 103 and didn’t feel very good. However, the next morning, a Saturday which was a day off for recovery, he felt fine.

“Some guys got sick but for the most part, it was uneventful,” said Robertson.

Having the vaccine was optional but not really, in terms of advancement.

“I knew that if I didn’t get the vaccine, there would really be no chance to move up to the next level,” Robertson said. “Even if you’re playing well and deserve a chance to be called up, MLB protocols require that you quarantine for five or six days if you haven’t had the vaccine. When they need someone to come up because of injury or whatever, they need someone ready to step onto the field. I decided that being held back because I didn’t have the vaccine was not the best option. I didn’t want that to be the reason I failed.”

There are other incentives to get the vaccine. Robertson explained that with 85% of the team vaccinated, group dining is an option, and families are allowed to visit.

“I don’t want to go all summer without seeing my family,” said Robertson.

After being home for a couple of weeks after surgery, Robertson returned to Florida, where he continues to make progress toward his goal of rejoining the team.

“I started swinging with two hands and I’m feeling a lot better,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll be cleared to return in a couple of weeks, and we’ll see what happens. I feel I’m headed in the right direction.”

To follow Robertson’s career in the minors, visit http://www.milb.com.