| News |
|---|
|
Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Option for short-rest start Sunday
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 11:13 AM
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Scherzer could pitch on short rest Sunday versus the Reds, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Scherzer is starting the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Baltimore, but it might not be his final outing of the season. Bringing the 42-year-old back on short rest could serve two purposes. One is that the impending free agent would get to pitch in front of the home crowd in Toronto one more time. Another is that Scherzer is currently 11 strikeouts behind Justin Verlander on the all-time list, so he could pad that total this weekend. Scherzer has yet to commit one way or another in regard to continuing his career in 2027. |
|
Brett Bateman Brett Bateman Day-to-day after negative MRI
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 10:50 AM
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that an MRI on Bateman's right hip came back negative, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: Bateman is dealing with some inflammation in his hip, but he has a chance to play later this week if he bounces back well in the coming days. While Bateman recuperates, Myles Straw is covering center field for the Blue Jays in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Baltimore. |
|
Brett Bateman Brett Bateman Absent from lineup
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 10:14 AM
Bateman (hip) is absent from the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Orioles.
Analysis: Bateman was lifted from Monday's contest due to right hip discomfort and is considered day-to-day. Myles Straw will patrol center field and will bat eighth for the Blue Jays while Bateman recuperates. |
|
Alejandro Kirk Alejandro Kirk Not in lineup for matinee
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 10:11 AM
Kirk is not in the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Baltimore.
Analysis: Kirk will likely start behind the dish for Wednesday's nightcap, but he will begin the first contest on the bench. Brandon Valenzuela will do the catching and bat seventh for the Blue Jays in the afternoon tilt. |
|
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Remains out for first game
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 10:08 AM
Guerrero (back) remains out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Baltimore.
Analysis: Guerrero has not played since departing Sunday's game against the Rangers with lower-back tightness. He did some hitting pregame Wednesday and could be available to play in the nightcap, per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Sean Keys will grab another start at first base for the Blue Jays while Guerrero rests. |
|
Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Game postponed Tuesday
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 1:07 PM
Scherzer won't start as scheduled Tuesday against the Orioles since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.
Analysis: The right-hander had been lined up to potentially make two starts during the final week of the regular season, but Tuesday's postponement likely means Toronto will have to go in a different direction Sunday against Cincinnati. The game is being made up via a doubleheader Wednesday, with Scherzer likely to start one of those contests. The 42-year-old has a 4.26 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 40:20 K:BB across 50.2 innings since returning from back and thumb injuries in late July. |
|
Michael Lorenzen Michael Lorenzen Sticking with Blue Jays
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 10:04 PM
Lorenzen was sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
Analysis: Lorenzen will remain with Toronto after passing through waivers unclaimed. He was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday after surrendering five runs over two frames in his last outing Tuesday against Detroit. |
|
Trey Yesavage Trey Yesavage Logs two innings Monday
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 9:50 PM
Yesavage did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing one run on a hit and no walks over two innings against the Orioles. He struck out three.
Analysis: In his first outing since Aug. 4, Yesavage's only blemish across two frames (40 pitches) was a solo homer to Pete Alonso in the first inning. A limited workload wasn't surprising for the young right-hander, as his lone rehab appearance with Triple-A Buffalo while recovering from surgery on a torn meniscus was limited to two-thirds of an inning. On the year, Yesavage owns a 3.67 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 94:46 K:BB across 95.2 innings (19 starts), and it remains to be seen if he'll make another appearance before the conclusion of the regular season. |
|
Brett Bateman Brett Bateman Diagnosed with hip issue
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 8:11 PM
Bateman left Monday's game against Baltimore due to right hip discomfort, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: Bateman initially appeared to suffer a knee injury on a diving catch, but the team has since stated that he's dealing with a hip issue. His X-rays returned negative, and he'll be considered day-to-day moving forward, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. |
|
Brett Bateman Brett Bateman Exits with knee injury
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 7:15 PM
Bateman left Monday's game against the Orioles with an apparent right knee injury, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Bateman made a sliding catch in the outfield to end the second inning, but his right knee appeared to get jammed in the outfield grass, and he stayed down after the play. He was eventually able to make his way off the field with the help of the team medical staff and is presumably headed for further evaluation. Bateman can be considered day-to-day until further notice. |
|
Josh Smith Josh Smith Handling regular role
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 5:34 PM
Smith will start in left field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Orioles.
Analysis: With the season winding down, Smith has taken hold of a strong-side platoon role for the Blue Jays. Despite going just 1-for-14 with a 2:5 BB:K over the Blue Jays' previous six games, Smith will stick in the lineup Monday for a seventh consecutive contest. |
|
Dylan Cease Dylan Cease Does not need surgery
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 3:29 PM
Cease does not need surgery on his injured right shoulder, but his immediate availability is up in the air, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: An MRI showed inflammation, with Cease saying his shoulder feels a "bit heavy and achy and not normal." In the unlikely event that the Blue Jays squeeze their way into the postseason, Cease could eventually return to pitch. However, it's a long shot that he will be back later this week before the curtains close on the regular season. Cease has collected a 2.40 ERA and 239:78 K:BB over 169 innings covering 29 starts in his first year with the Blue Jays. |
|
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Held out of Toronto lineup
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 2:47 PM
Guerrero (back) is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Baltimore.
Analysis: Guerrero was lifted from Sunday's 7-2 win over the Rangers because of lower-back tightness, and he's not feeling well enough a day later to return to the lineup. He's considered day-to-day, but with the Blue Jays' playoff hopes fading, Guerrero could be shut down if he doesn't improve in a hurry. Sean Keys will handle first base in Guerrero's stead Monday. |
|
Chad Dallas Chad Dallas Recalled from Buffalo
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 2:14 PM
The Blue Jays recalled Dallas from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
Analysis: Dallas has been pitching exclusively in relief lately, logging a 2.65 ERA and 21:8 K:BB over 17 innings over his last 12 appearances (11 with Buffalo, one with Toronto). He'll be available for multiple innings out of the bullpen Monday versus the Orioles, and there's a good chance he'll be needed since starter Trey Yesavage (knee) will make an abbreviated start in his return from the IL. |
|
Joe Mantiply Joe Mantiply Loses 40-man roster spot
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 2:08 PM
The Blue Jays designated Mantiply for assignment Monday.
Analysis: Mantiply has a minor-league option remaining, but Toronto opted to drop him from the 40-man roster entirely to open up a spot on the active roster for right-hander Trey Yesavage (knee), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday in Baltimore. Over 25 appearances out of the Toronto bullpen this season, Mantiply submitted a 3.33 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB in 27 innings while notching two wins and one hold. |
|
Trey Yesavage Trey Yesavage Activated ahead of Monday's start
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 2:07 PM
The Blue Jays activated Yesavage (knee) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Analysis: Yesavage will rejoin the rotation with a start Monday versus the Orioles after being shelved since early August following meniscus surgery on his left knee. He threw only 34 pitches over two-thirds of an inning during his lone rehab outing, and the Blue Jays are aiming to get just three frames out of Yesavage against Baltimore. The right-hander has authored a 3.65 ERA and 91:46 K:BB over 93.2 frames covering 18 starts in the big leagues this season. |
|
Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Sent to minor leagues
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 2:05 PM
The Blue Jays optioned Arrighetti to their spring training complex Monday.
Analysis: Unless the Blue Jays deactivate another player due to an injury or personal circumstance during the final week of the regular season, Arrighetti's 2026 campaign has likely come to an end. After being acquired from the Astros at the trade deadline, the right-hander was ineffective over his seven appearances (two starts) for the Blue Jays, pitching to a 6.35 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 19:14 K:BB in 22.2 innings. Arrighetti will have to battle for a spot in the Toronto rotation next spring. |
|
Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Nabs ninth win as reliever
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 5:57 PM
Arrighetti (9-9) notched the win Sunday against Texas, striking out two while allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in 2.1 innings of relief
Analysis: Arrighetti was not nearly as effective as opener Spencer Miles, who fired three shutout innings, but Toronto provided enough run support to get Arrighetti credited with the win. The right-hander has now operated as a long reliever in five of his seven outings for the Blue Jays, but he's yet to cover at least five frames since coming over from Houston. He has a 6.35 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 19:14 K:BB over 22.2 innings for his new team, and it remains to be seen how he'll next be deployed once Trey Yesavage (knee) is reinstated from the injured list. |
|
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Pulled with back tightness
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 3:09 PM
Guerrero was removed from Sunday's game against the Rangers due to lower-back tightness, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: The veteran slugger went 1-for-2 before being replaced at first base for the bottom of the fourth inning. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but any absence for Guerrero would be significant for Toronto with just one week left in the regular season. |
|
Dylan Cease Dylan Cease Managing shoulder issue
Sun, Sep 20, 2026, 11:40 AM
Cease underwent an MRI on his shoulder Saturday and won't make his scheduled start Wednesday against the Orioles, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: The right-hander surrendered four runs (one earned) on three hits and six walks over 2.2 innings Friday against the Rangers, and he was sent for imaging since he's apparently been battling some shoulder fatigue. While Cease won't make his regular turn through the rotation Wednesday in Baltimore, manager John Schneider didn't rule out the possibility of him pitching next weekend versus the Reds. The Blue Jays are three games back of the final wild-card spot and could shut Cease down if they are eliminated from playoff contention prior to next weekend. |
Connect With Us:
