on march 27, 2017, the blue jays confirmed that schultz would open the 2017 season on the disabled list due to an elbow injury. the following day, it was announced that schultz would have surgery on his right elbow to remove bone chips and examine his ulnar collateral ligament. on march 29, schultz underwent tommy john surgery. on november 1, 2017, schultz was outrighted to triple-a buffalo. he elected free agency on november 7.