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Alan Roden Alan Roden On base twice in MLB debut
Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 11:17 AM
Roden went 1-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: Hitting ninth and playing right field in his big-league debut, Roden led off the sixth inning with a single before working Keegan Akin for a free pass to lead off the eighth. It was an early glimpse of Roden's on-base skills, and if the Blue Jays struggle to generate offense early, it may not be long before the 25-year-old is moved up to the top of the order. Roden's role once Daulton Varsho (shoulder) comes off the IL remains uncertain, but the rookie made a strong first impression. |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Shoulders offense Thursday
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:01 PM
Gimenez went 1-for-3 a two-run homer and a walk in Thursday's 12-2 loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: Gimenez supplied all of the offense for the Blue Jays on Opening Day, taking Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin yard for a two-run shot in the fourth inning. It was interesting to see the speedy Gimenez, who went 13-for-46 (.283) with two homers, 11 RBI and two stolen bases during spring training, bat cleanup Thursday, but he should see plenty of RBI chances if he sticks in the No. 4 spot in Toronto's lineup going forward. |
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Jose Berrios Jose Berrios Hit hard for six runs in loss
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 8:58 PM
Berrios (0-1) took the loss after giving up six runs on nine hits and two walks in five innings during Thursday's game against Baltimore. He struck out five.
Analysis: The Orioles knocked around Berrios, who served up a solo homer to Adley Rutschman in the first inning, a three-run shot to Tyler O'Neill in the third frame and another solo shot to Cedric Mullins in the fourth. Berrios was sharp while logging a 2.18 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 18 strikeouts across 20.2 innings in the Grapefruit League, and the veteran right-hander will look to get back on track in what appears to be a softer matchup in his next scheduled start Tuesday at home against the Nationals. |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Batting cleanup Thursday
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:54 AM
Gimenez is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Thursday's opener against the Orioles.
Analysis: He's an atypical cleanup hitter, but Gimenez's fantasy stock receives a boost while he's hitting behind Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero and Anthony Santander. The former Guardian slashed .252/.298/.340 with nine homers during the regular season for Cleveland in 2024. |
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Nick Robertson Nick Robertson Scrubbed from 40-man roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:42 AM
The Blue Jays designated Robertson for assignment Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Robertson had already missed out of the Opening Day roster after the Blue Jays optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo on March 11, but he'll now be dropped from the 40-man roster entirely with Toronto selecting outfielder Myles Straw's contract in a corresponding move. If he clears waivers, Robertson will remain in the Toronto organization and work in relief at Buffalo. |
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Zach Pop Zach Pop Cast off 40-man roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:40 AM
The Blue Jays designated Pop (elbow) for assignment Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pop experienced elbow inflammation coming out of his final Grapefruit League appearance March 17 and was expected to head to the 15-day injured list, but the Blue Jays will instead move him off their 40-man roster. The transaction clears a 40-man spot for outfielder Alan Roden, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Pop could end up landing on Buffalo's IL if he clears waivers and remains in the Toronto organization. |
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Tommy Nance Tommy Nance Pushed off 40-man roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:37 AM
The Blue Jays designated Nance for assignment Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Nance was unable to secure a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen after logging a 5.06 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 5.1 innings in Grapefruit League play. He'll end up being squeezed off the 40-man roster as the Blue Jays clear a spot in the bullpen for right-hander Jacob Barnes, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. |
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Easton Lucas Easton Lucas Beginning season in minors
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:34 AM
The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to Triple-A Buffalo on March 15.
Analysis: Lucas made eight appearances at the big-league level in 2024 between stops with the Athletics, Tigers and Blue Jays, logging a 10.80 ERA and 2.23 WHIP across 11.2 innings. He retained a spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster heading into spring training, but Lucas didn't distinguish himself enough in camp to earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. |
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Ryan Burr Ryan Burr Heads to IL
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:29 AM
The Blue Jays placed Burr on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right shoulder inflammation, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Burr was unable to make any appearances in the Grapefruit League on account of the shoulder issue, so his move to the IL was fully expected. The right-hander will be eligible to come off the IL on April 8, but he'll likely need more time beyond that before the Blue Jays deem him ready to join the big-league bullpen. |
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Erik Swanson Erik Swanson Lands on IL
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:27 AM
The Blue Jays placed Swanson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Swanson is working his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm. He was cleared to resume his throwing program last week, but he'll likely need at least a couple of weeks to fully ramp up and complete a rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list. Once healthy, Swanson projects to serve as a setup arm or middle-innings option in the Toronto bullpen. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Heads to IL
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:24 AM
The Blue Jays placed Varsho (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.
Analysis: Varsho produced a .994 OPS over 37 plate appearances as a designated hitter in spring training, but because much of his value is derived from his defense, the Blue Jays will stash him on the IL to begin the season while he waits to gain clearance to play center field. Though he's still on the mend from September surgery on his right shoulder, Varsho recently increased his throwing distance to 120 feet, so he may not need much time to complete his throwing progression before making his 2025 debut. His IL placement is retroactive to Monday, so he'll be eligible to debut as soon as April 4. |
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Myles Straw Myles Straw Added to roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:18 AM
The Blue Jays selected Straw's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: After being acquired from the Guardians in January, Straw was able to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder due to Daulton Varsho needing more time to recover from shoulder surgery. Straw is unlikely to see extensive action with Toronto, and he could be at risk of being booted off the 40-man roster once Varsho is activated from the 10-day injured list. |
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Jacob Barnes Jacob Barnes Added to roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:15 AM
The Blue Jays selected Barnes' contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Despite attending camp as a non-roster invitee and posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB over 5.1 innings in the Grapefruit League, Barnes was able to win a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen. He'll likely be ticketed for lower-leverage work. |
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Alan Roden Alan Roden Starting in right field in opener
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:13 AM
The Blue Jays selected Roden's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Roden will start in right field and bat ninth in Thursday's opener against the Orioles. The Blue Jays are going with an outfield of Anthony Santander, George Springer and Roden on Opening Day. Though Roden may be in line for regular playing time versus right-handed pitching to begin the season, he could be at risk of losing out on starts once Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is ready to return from the injured list. |
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Max Scherzer Max Scherzer On track to start Saturday
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 11:37 AM
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Scherzer (thumb) is "still going in the right direction," and the team expects him to be ready to start Saturday against the Orioles, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Scherzer dealt with a nagging right thumb injury this spring, but he's been trending in a positive direction of late and is in line to take his first turn in Toronto's rotation. He threw 62 pitches in his final Grapefruit League start, so Scherzer should be capable of throwing 80 or so Saturday as long as the thumb issue doesn't flare up again. |
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Steward Berroa Steward Berroa Sent down to Triple-A
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 2:46 PM
The Blue Jays optioned Berroa to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.
Analysis: Berroa went 10-for-36 with one home run and three stolen bases this spring but failed to net a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old will play all three outfield spots at Buffalo. |
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Myles Straw Myles Straw May not be stuck in platoon
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 9:47 AM
Straw could see action against some right-handed pitching as the Blue Jays prioritize his defense in center field, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 30-year-old will split duties in center with Nathan Lukes while Daulton Varsho completes his recovery from shoulder surgery, but while Straw hits right-handed and Lukes swings from the left side of the plate, the duo isn't expected to work in a strict platoon. Alan Roden might also see the occasional start in center, further muddying the picture. Varsho could make his 2025 in the first week of April, so Straw and Lukes will essentially be competing for a single bench spot after the Jays' starting center fielder is cleared to return. |
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Addison Barger Addison Barger Could be back with Toronto soon
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 9:42 AM
Barger may return to the major-league roster once Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is cleared to come off the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old played well enough this spring to earn a place on the 26-man roster, but the Jays needed extra depth in center field with Varsho sidelined, and Barger is mostly limited to the infield and outfield corners defensively. Once Varsho rejoins the roster, which should happen early in April, it could free a spot up for Barger's bat after he went 11-for-30 (.367) in Grapefruit League action with two doubles, three homers and a 4:10 BB:K. |
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Myles Straw Myles Straw Earns Opening Day spot
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 7:58 PM
Straw will be a part of Toronto's Opening Day roster, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Straw will secure one of the team's final position player spots on its Opening Day roster after batting .400 with a home run, six RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base over 30 at-bats in 19 games during spring training. The 30-year-old will help fill the void left by Daulton Varsho (shoulder) in Toronto's outfield for the first couple weeks of the season. |
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Jacob Barnes Jacob Barnes Set to make Opening Day roster
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 7:52 PM
Barnes is expected to be a part of Baltimore's Opening Day roster, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Barnes will open the year with Toronto's major-league roster after signing a minor-league deal with the team in February. The right-hander appeared in six games this spring, including one start, surrendering four earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 innings. |
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