Erik Bedard's new injury real pain in the butt By QMI Agency

Canadian pitcher Erik Bedard, no stranger to injury troubles, has another one that's a real pain in the butt. (TONY CALDWELL/QMI Agency)

Erik Bedard probably hoped his injury woes were all behind him.

Turns out they are ... literally.

The Canadian starting pitcher, who is attending the Houston Astros' spring camp as a non-roster invitee this year, was scratched from his last start due to an injury you don’t hear about every day, and one that is likely to make him the butt of jokes with his teammates — a strained gluteal muscle. Or, in the non-medical world, a strained butt muscle.

Injuries are nothing new to Bedard, although this one likely is. He’s been on the disabled list eight times in his career, had Tommy John surgery in 2003 and shoulder surgeries on two occasions.

“He’s been getting treatment and hopefully we get him back out there soon,” Astros manager Bo Porter told MLB.com.

The injury could mean Bedard, a 34-year-old from Navan, Ont., will be left, uh, behind when camp breaks at the end of the month. He’s coming off a 7-14 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has pitched just two innings this spring, so he needs to get more work in or he’ll be given the bum’s rush.