Blue Jays starting pitcher Mark Buehrle reaches 200 innings pitched for 14th straight season

Mark Buehrle needed just six innings in his final start of the year to reach the 200 innings pitched mark for the 14th straight season. The ultimate over-achiever, Buerhle went out and put together maybe his best outing of 2014.

He threw eight shutout innings, striking out 10 and walking one, to finish the regular season with 202 innings pitched as the Blue Jays beat the Mariners 1-0 Wednesday night.

The streak is a true testament to Buehrle's consistency. 200 innings is considered the benchmark for a workhorse starting pitcher. The 35-year-old left-hander has never failed to hit that number since he became full-time starter in 2001 when he was with the White Sox. Over his 15-year major-league career, he's pitched over 3,000 innings and has never spent time on the disabled list.

"200 innings is a goal I set for myself every year, so to get that obviously it's a good season for myself personally. But like I said, we're not going to the playoffs so it's disappointing," Buerhle told Sportsnet following the game.

After a brilliant run to start the season, the Blue Jays won 11 of his first 12 starts and he posted a 2.48 ERA/3.66 FIP over April, May, and June, Buehrle was named to his fifth all-star game. His play tailed off in July and August but he rebounded in September and closes out the year with a 3.39 ERA/3.66 FIP and a 13-10 record.

Since arriving in the blockbuster trade with Miami before the 2013 season, Buehrle has been right in line with his career averages over his two years in Toronto. He has one year left on his contract, putting the Blue Jays and Buehrle in an interesting spot.

Buehrle hasn't committed to playing beyond 2015 and he would be an attractive trade piece for a team looking to add a veteran starter to their staff. Marcus Stroman enjoyed a fine first year in the rotation and with Aaron Sanchez and Daniel Norris poised to join him soon, moving Buehrle to upgrade the rest of the roster is a distinct possibility.

Otherwise, Buerhle will be back to play out the final year of his deal in Toronto and provide a steady option for his manager to turn to every fifth day.

Wherever he takes the mound next season, expect Buehrle to be exactly what he's been throughout his big league career - reliable, consistent, and on pace for 200 innings.