| News |
|---|
|
Jesus Sanchez Jesus Sanchez Not in lineup Friday
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 2:10 PM
Sanchez isn't part of the Blue Jays' starting nine for Friday's game against the Athletics.
Analysis: Sanchez, after being acquired via trade in Feburary, had been in contention for the starting left field role, but the Blue Jays will opt for a different left-handed-hitting outfielder to fill the spot Friday in Nathan Lukes. Sanchez slashed just .199/.269/.342 in 48 games after being sent to the Astros midway through the 2025 campaign, and he may have some work to do in order to etch out consistent playing time with the Blue Jays. |
|
Jose Berrios Jose Berrios Will throw off mound this week
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 1:06 PM
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Thursday that Berrios (elbow) will throw off the mound before the end of this week, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Berrios was diagnosed last week with a stress fracture in his right elbow, but he and the Blue Jays are hopeful that the hurler will be able to pitch through the injury. The right-hander hasn't made a game appearance in three weeks, so even if things go smoothly with his elbow, Berrios will need time to get built up before Toronto considers him for its rotation. |
|
Shane Bieber Shane Bieber Mound work on tap
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 1:05 PM
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said Thursday that Bieber (elbow) will throw off a mound this week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The right-hander has been limited to throwing on flat ground while working his way back from shoulder fatigue, so a return to mound work is a significant development in his rehab program. Bieber still has a lengthy road ahead of him while building up to face live batters and eventually embarking on a rehab assignment, but a return in early May still appears to be on the table. |
|
Trey Yesavage Trey Yesavage Velocity up in minor-league game
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 12:55 PM
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Thursday that Yesavage's (shoulder) velocity "bumped back up" during a "very effective" appearance in a minor-league game Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It's an encouraging step for Yesavage, who did not make any spring training appearances while battling a right shoulder impingement. A rehab assignment for the rookie right-hander would appear imminent, and he will likely require several rehab starts before he's ready to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation. |
|
Kazuma Okamoto Kazuma Okamoto Ready for first MLB Opening Day
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:25 AM
Okamoto will be the Blue Jays' primary third baseman to begin the season, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
Analysis: After signing a four-year, $60 million contract this offseason to take his talents to North America, Okamoto will have a significant role for Toronto in 2026. The 29-year-old appeared to adjust to his new environment quickly this spring, slashing .316/.435/.632 in 23 Grapefruit League plate appearances. |
|
Davis Schneider Davis Schneider Hangs onto roster spot
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:22 AM
Schneider has kept his spot on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
Analysis: The final spot on the bench came down to Schneider and utility infielder Leo Jimenez, but Schneider's right-handed bat won out. The 27-year-old posted a .797 OPS with 11 homers in 227 plate appearances last season, and he could see steady work as a short-side platoon partner for corner outfielders Jesus Sanchez and Addison Barger, while also serving as an option at second base when one of the Jays' starting middle infielders, Andres Gimenez and Ernie Clement, needs a breather. |
|
Tyler Heineman Tyler Heineman Will handle backup catching duties
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:19 AM
Heineman has won a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
Analysis: The 34-year-old switch hitter will slot in behind Alejandro Kirk on the depth chart. Heineman appeared in 64 regular-season games for Toronto last season, slashing a career-best .289/.361/.416 with three homers, 20 RBI and 25 runs. |
|
Tyler Rogers Tyler Rogers Slotted into setup role
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:17 AM
Rogers is expected to begin the season as one of the primary setup men for the Blue Jays ahead of closer Jeff Hoffman, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
Analysis: After signing a three-year, $37 million contract with Toronto in December, it's no surprise that Rogers will have a high-leverage role. The veteran right-hander has recorded at least 30 holds in three straight seasons, posting a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 48:7 K:BB over 77.1 innings in 2025 between the Mets and Giants. |
|
Brendon Little Brendon Little Secures bullpen spot
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:06 AM
Little has won a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
Analysis: The 29-year-old will head into the season as the top left-handed option for manager John Schneider. Little dazzled this spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 11:4 K:BB in six innings, and he racked up a career-high 30 holds in 2025 while producing a 3.03 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 91:45 K:BB in 68.1 innings. |
|
Tommy Nance Tommy Nance Will begin season in bullpen
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:04 AM
Nance has claimed a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
Analysis: The 35-year-old grabbed one of the last spots in the bullpen despite a 6.75 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB in 5.1 spring innings, but his lack of minor-league options likely tipped the scales in his favor. Nance was more impressive in 2025, delivering a 1.99 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB over 31.2 innings for Toronto with two wins and five holds in 30 appearances. |
|
Trey Yesavage Trey Yesavage Opening season on IL
Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 3:24 PM
The Blue Jays placed Yesavage (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: After an unprecedented rise through the Blue Jays' farm system that culminated in a masterful performance throughout Toronto's long postseason run, Yesavage was held out of action during the Grapefruit League for what was initially believed to be workload-management reasons. The Blue Jays later revealed last week that Yesavage was dealing with a right shoulder impingement, which will result in the team stashing him on the IL to begin the upcoming season. The injury isn't viewed as a long-term concern for Yesavage, who hasn't been shut down from throwing and was able to pitch in a minor-league game on the back fields of camp Wednesday. He'll likely head out on a rehab assignment shortly after the minor-league season gets underway and could be an option for the Toronto rotation at some point in April. In the meantime, while Yesavage and Shane Bieber (elbow) are both on the shelf, Eric Lauer will serve as Toronto's No. 5 starter. |
|
Chase Lee Chase Lee Optioned to Triple-A
Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 3:24 PM
The Blue Jays optioned Lee to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Analysis: Lee put his best foot forward in attempting to win a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen, tossing 6.1 scoreless innings during Grapefruit League play. While it ultimately wasn't enough, he should get a look when the club inevitably requires relief help. |
|
Anthony Santander Anthony Santander Lands on injured list
Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 3:22 PM
The Blue Jays placed Santander (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Santander underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder in February. He has a chance to return at some point after the All-Star break, but it's possible the Blue Jays wind up holding him back until next season. |
|
Shane Bieber Shane Bieber Placement on IL made official
Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 3:19 PM
The Blue Jays placed Bieber (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Bieber has dealt with what had been referred to as forearm fatigue dating back to last season, but the Blue Jays have listed right elbow inflammation as his injury designation. The veteran hurler has been throwing on flat ground, but it's unclear when he'll be ready for mound work and a rehab assignment. A clearer picture of Bieber's status should be available in the coming weeks. |
|
Yimi Garcia Yimi Garcia Heads to IL
Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 3:16 PM
The Blue Jays placed Garcia (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Garcia has resumed throwing off a mound shortly before the end of spring training, but he'll need more time to continue building back up before the Blue Jays send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment, perhaps at some point in April. The 35-year-old reliever saw his 2025 campaign come to an early end after he required surgery in September to clean up scar tissue near the ulnar nerve and AC joint of his right elbow. |
|
Jose Berrios Jose Berrios Placed on 15-day injured list
Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 3:15 PM
The Blue Jays placed Berrios (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Berrios was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his pitching elbow last week. The right-hander hopes to resume throwing soon, but the possibility exits that he'll need ample down time. Eric Lauer will slide into the Toronto rotation in Berrios' place. |
|
Nathan Lukes Nathan Lukes On Opening Day roster
Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 11:24 AM
Lukes has a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Rosie DiManno of The Toronto Star reports.
Analysis: The acquisition of Jesus Sanchez in February put Lukes' job security in question, but the 31-year-old will break camp as part of a crowded outfield that also includes Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Addison Barger and Myles Straw, with Davis Schneider still fighting for the final bench spot as well. Lukes did his part to prove his worth this spring, slashing .333/.468/.417 in 18 Grapefruit League games with a 9:10 BB:K, but his .255/.323/.407 line over 135 regular-season games in 2025 offers a better view of his limited upside at the plate. |
|
Myles Straw Myles Straw Breaks camp with big club
Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 11:19 AM
Straw will be on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Rosie DiManno of The Toronto Star reports.
Analysis: It's not a big surprise, but Toronto does have something of a logjam in the outfield with Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Addison Barger, Jesus Sanchez, Nathan Lukes and Straw all confirmed for the 26-man roster, and Davis Schneider still fighting for the final bench spot. Straw does offer a platoon option in center field for Varsho, but his main usage in 2026 will likely come as a pinch runner and late-inning defensive replacement. In 299 regular-season plate appearances last year, Straw slashed .262/.313/.367 with four homers, tying his career high, and 12 steals in 13 attempts. |
|
Eloy Jimenez Eloy Jimenez Unable to crack Opening Day roster
Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 3:12 PM
The Blue Jays reassigned Jimenez to minor-league camp Monday.
Analysis: Though his longshot bid to win a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster fell short, Jimenez was able to make a positive impression this spring with an .857 OPS over 45 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League. The 29-year-old offers limited utility on defense, so any opportunity he might have to re-emerge in the big leagues will hinge on him tearing up International League pitching at Triple-A Buffalo over an extended period. Jimenez last appeared in the majors in 2024, when he slashed .238/.289/.336 with six home runs over 349 plate appearances between stops with the White Sox and Orioles. |
|
Yariel Rodriguez Yariel Rodriguez Moves to minor-league camp
Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 3:07 PM
The Blue Jays reassigned Rodriguez to minor-league camp Monday.
Analysis: Rodriguez submitted a 3.83 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 87 appearances (22 starts) for Toronto over the past two seasons, but he headed into spring training with a slim chance at winning a spot in Toronto's Opening Day bullpen after he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in December. The 29-year-old righty is expected to work in relief at Triple-A Buffalo to begin the season. |
Connect With Us:
