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Yimi Garcia Yimi Garcia Collects third save
Wed, May 14, 2025, 10:23 PM
Garcia earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Rays, striking out one batter without allowing a hit or walk in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: After Jeff Hoffman got roughed up for five runs in Tuesday's 11-9 loss, Garcia was brought in for the ninth inning Wednesday to protect the Blue Jays' two-run lead. Garcia started out strongly by striking out Jose Caballero, and the former needed just seven pitches (six strikes) to capture his third save of the season. Garcia's 3.71 ERA through 17 innings is inflated by the seven runs he gave up across two outings May 3 and 6; he's otherwise yielded no earned runs in his other 16 appearances. |
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Alejandro Kirk Alejandro Kirk Blasts three-run homer in return
Wed, May 14, 2025, 10:17 PM
Kirk went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Rays.
Analysis: Kirk was removed from Sunday's win over the Mariners after being hit in the head on a Julio Rodriguez backswing, but the former passed the league's concussion protocols and was cleared to return Wednesday. Kirk's return turned out to be the difference as he supplied the Jays' run total with a three-run blast in the sixth inning. It was his third home run of the season, and the 26-year-old catcher is slashing .293/.318/.398 with 16 RBI in 129 plate appearances. |
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Chris Bassitt Chris Bassitt Gives up one run in no-decision
Wed, May 14, 2025, 10:11 PM
Bassitt did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings.
Analysis: Bassitt entered Wednesday's game having yielded three earned runs or more in each of his last four outings. He allowed at least two baserunners in three of the first four innings, but he was able to limit the damage to one run in the fourth frame. Bassitt has a 3.16 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 51.1 innings this season, and his 55 strikeouts is eighth most in the American League. He also boasts a 4.1 percent walk rate, which is in the 93rd percentile in the majors. Bassitt is slated to face the Padres at home next week. |
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Nathan Lukes Nathan Lukes Sitting after five straight starts
Wed, May 14, 2025, 3:13 PM
Lukes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Lukes will hit the bench after he had picked up starts in the corner outfield in each of the Blue Jays' last five games while going 5-for-18 with a home run and two walks. He'll be replaced in left field by Jonatan Clase, but Lukes may have the upper hand on a regular lineup spot until Andres Gimenez's (quadricep) eventual return from the injured list takes an everyday role off the table. |
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Alejandro Kirk Alejandro Kirk Returns to lineup Wednesday
Wed, May 14, 2025, 3:09 PM
Kirk (head) will start at catcher and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Kirk was pulled from his last start in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Mariners after he was inadvertently hit in the head by Julio Rodriguez's bat while catching, but the backstop passed all subsequent concussion tests. The Blue Jays still elected to hold Kirk out of the lineup for Tuesday's series opener versus the Rays, but he's ready to go for Wednesday's contest. Kirk maintains a .286 batting average to go with two home runs and 13 RBI over 31 games on the season. |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Resumes activities
Wed, May 14, 2025, 12:04 PM
Gimenez (quadricep) resumed baseball activities Tuesday, Mitch Bannon of the Athletic reports.
Analysis: The second baseman landed on the IL last Friday due to a right quad strain, but it seems like he might miss close to the minimum 10 days. Gimenez is slashing .195/.273/.305 through his first 36 games with the Blue Jays after being acquired from the Guardians in December. |
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Ernie Clement Ernie Clement Swats home run in loss
Wed, May 14, 2025, 7:39 AM
Clement went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Tuesday's loss to the Rays.
Analysis: Clement led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run for his first homer of the season. He's now registered at least a hit in seven straight games and has 10 hits in his last 20 at-bats. Clement's recent excellent play has raised his average over 50 points in the last week, as he's slashing .275/.302/.367 with eight extra-base hits, eight RBI, 11 runs, two steals and a 5:19 BB:K in 118 plate appearances. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Posts two-homer day in loss
Wed, May 14, 2025, 7:33 AM
Varsho went 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Rays.
Analysis: Varsho had a solo home run in the fourth and then a three-run blast in the eighth to put the Blue Jays ahead 7-6. Both long balls had an exit velocity over 113 mph, which were the hardest-hit balls in Varsho's career. He now has five home runs and 11 RBI in 10 games since his season debut April 29, and six of his eight hits on the season so far have gone for extra bases. |
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Bo Bichette Bo Bichette Plates three runs in loss
Wed, May 14, 2025, 7:27 AM
Bichette went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's loss to the Rays.
Analysis: Bichette got the Blue Jays on the board with a two-run homer in the third for his second long ball in his last three games and third in his last nine after he had none in his first 32 games of the year. It seems as if Bichette's power is slowly starting to return, and he's got four extra-base hits, seven RBI and a 6:4 BB:K in his last six games. |
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Jeff Hoffman Jeff Hoffman Allows five runs in loss
Wed, May 14, 2025, 6:57 AM
Hoffman (3-2) was charged with a blown save and the loss Tuesday against the Rays after allowing five runs on four hits and a walk while picking up a strikeout as the only out he recorded.
Analysis: Hoffman entered to begin the ninth protecting a one-run lead and got off on the right foot with a strikeout, but everything went downhill from there. He proceeded to give up three singles and a walk before Junior Caminero launched a grand slam to put the Rays up 11-7. Hoffman's now allowed 11 runs in his last five appearances after allowing just two runs in 16.1 innings prior to his recent struggles. He's up to a 6.05 ERA but still sports an excellent 31:4 K:BB in 19.1 innings. |
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Jose Berrios Jose Berrios Settles for another no-decision
Wed, May 14, 2025, 6:48 AM
Berrios allowed five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four in 5.1 innings Tuesday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
Analysis: Berrios was tagged for four runs in the third, including a two-run homer by Jonathan Aranda. Berrios retired the side in order in the second, fourth and fifth innings and appeared to be on his way toward another quality start, but a leadoff single and then a one-out walk in the sixth ended his day. Tuesday marked the first time Berrios has allowed five runs since his season debut, and it was his fifth outing with at least three walks. Berrios hasn't had a BB/9 over 2.5 since the shortened 2020 COVID season but this year his BB/9 is at 4.2. He's in line for a tough test this weekend when the red-hot Tigers come to town. |
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Ryan Burr Ryan Burr Moving rehab to Triple-A
Tue, May 13, 2025, 5:30 PM
Burr (shoulder) will shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Burr is progressing in his recovery from right shoulder inflammation, which caused him to start the season on the injured list. He struck out five batters across 2.2 scoreless innings with the Blue Jays' Florida Complex League affiliate last week, and he's ready to take the next step in his throwing program by working out of Buffalo's bullpen. Burr appeared in 34 games (four starts) for the Blue Jays in 2024, posting a 4.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB across 32.2 innings. |
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Erik Swanson Erik Swanson Moving rehab to Triple-A
Tue, May 13, 2025, 4:47 PM
Swanson (forearm) will pitch for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Swanson started the season on the injured list due to carpal tunnel syndrome in his right forearm. He was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment with the Blue Jays' Florida Complex League affiliate Friday, and while he gave up four runs (two earned) on 16 pitches without recording an out in his lone outing, he's been cleared to transfer his rehab assignment to Triple-A. Swanson could be activated from the 60-day IL when first eligible in late May, barring any setbacks. |
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Alejandro Kirk Alejandro Kirk Passes concussion tests
Tue, May 13, 2025, 4:41 PM
Kirk (head) is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Rays on Tuesday.
Analysis: Kirk was removed from Sunday's game against the Mariners after suffering a blow to the helmet on a Julio Rodriguez backswing. Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters that Kirk "passed every concussion test" and will likely be available off the bench for Tuesday's contest, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. With Kirk on the bench, Tyler Heineman will start behind home plate and bat eighth. |
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Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Slowed by back tightness
Tue, May 13, 2025, 3:33 PM
Scherzer (thumb) was unable to throw as scheduled Tuesday because of back tightness following his last bullpen session, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Blue Jays are hopeful Scherzer will be ready to throw at some point later this week. While the back tightness does not seem to be a significant setback, it will delay Scherzer a bit just as he was getting ramped back up from his right thumb inflammation. The 40-year-old isn't eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until May 29, and he probably won't be ready by then, anyway. |
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Jake Bloss Jake Bloss Undergoing UCL surgery
Tue, May 13, 2025, 3:10 PM
Bloss (elbow) will undergo UCL surgery on his right elbow, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Bloss left his May 3 start with an elbow injury and now he'll need an unspecified procedure to repair his UCL. He impressed in the spring but struggled to a 6.46 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB in 23.2 innings across six appearances at Triple-A. Bloss could return in the middle or second half of next season, depending on the exact procedure he gets. |
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Anthony Santander Anthony Santander Returns Tuesday
Tue, May 13, 2025, 2:10 PM
Santander (shoulder) will start at designated hitter and bat third Tuesday against the Rays.
Analysis: As expected, Santander is back in action after sitting out the Blue Jays' entire weekend series in Seattle. He suffered the shoulder injury while playing the outfield Thursday, and the Blue Jays could look to use him at DH in the short term if his throwing is still an issue. Santander is hitting .196 with five home runs in 160 plate appearances during his first season in Toronto. |
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Dillon Tate Dillon Tate Accepts Triple-A assignment
Mon, May 12, 2025, 3:44 PM
The Blue Jays outrighted Tate to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
Analysis: Tate is no longer on the 40-man roster, but he's accepted his outright assignment and will remain in the organization as relief depth. He's allowed three runs with a 7:6 K:BB over 5.1 innings in the majors this season. |
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Ernie Clement Ernie Clement Three hits against M's
Mon, May 12, 2025, 9:49 AM
Clement went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in Sunday's win over the Mariners.
Analysis: The 29-year-old utility player has started four straight games at second base since Andres Gimenez (quadriceps) landed on the IL, and Clement has gone an impressive 8-for-16 during that span with a steal, two RBI and three runs. All eight hits have been singles however, and he's still looking for his first homer of 2025 after launching 12 in 139 games last season. With Addison Barger also heating up while getting regular run at third base and offering a lot more upside in an everyday role, Clement could have a hard time finding consistent at-bats once Gimenez returns. |
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Anthony Santander Anthony Santander Expected back Tuesday
Mon, May 12, 2025, 9:42 AM
Santander (shoulder) is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Rays, Mitch Bannon of the Athletic reports.
Analysis: The veteran outfielder sat out all three games of the Blue Jays' weekend series in Seattle after tumbling into the seats in Anaheim on Thursday trying to catch a foul ball. Santander's had a bumpy start to his Toronto tenure, but he was starting to come around prior to injuring his shoulder, batting .250 (10-for-40) with three homers and eight RBI over his last 10 contests. |
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