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Louis Varland Louis Varland Credited with win Saturday
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 9:23 PM
Varland (5-4) was credited with the win in the Blue Jays' 7-5 extra-innings victory over the Phillies on Saturday. He allowed one unearned run on one walk while striking out one batter across two innings.
Analysis: Varland entered Saturday's game looking to bounce back from Friday's effort, when he was charged with his first blown save of the season. He kept the game tied at 4-4 after the ninth inning and was brought back out for the 10th, with the run he gave up being unearned due to the ghost runner scoring on a Luis Arraez sacrifice fly. Varland has converted on 24 of 25 save opportunities this season and has a 1.34 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 60.2 innings. |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Sends game to extra innings
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 9:15 PM
Gimenez went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI during Toronto's 7-5 extra-innings win over Philadelphia on Saturday.
Analysis: Gimenez sent Saturday's game to extra innings after his two-run double in the eighth inning tied the game at 4-4, and he added to the Blue Jays' run total with a sacrifice fly in the 10th. It was the third time this season that Gimenez logged at least three RBI, with the last instance taking place May 11 against the Rays, when he drove in five runs. He has gone 10-for-28 (.357) with three steals, four RBI and three extra-base hits over his last nine games. |
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Nathan Lukes Nathan Lukes Clutch homer Saturday
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 9:10 PM
Lukes went 3-for-6 with a two-run homer during the Blue Jays' 7-5 extra-innings win over the Phillies on Saturday.
Analysis: Lukes was responsible for the Blue Jays' game-winning runs in the 11th inning, with his fly ball to center field clearing the wall for a two-run homer. It was just the sixth long ball of the season for the 31-year-old outfielder, with his last homer taking place July 12 against the Padres. Lukes has a .697 OPS with one steal, 21 RBI and 17 extra-base hits over 298 plate appearances this season. |
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Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Top-10 all time in strikeouts
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 9:07 PM
Scherzer did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four across 5.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.
Analysis: Scherzer turned back the clock in Philadelphia, keeping the Phillies off the board the first five innings. His punchout of Kyle Schwarber in the sixth was his fourth of the game, and it moved Scherzer up to 10th in the all-time leaderboard with 3,516 career strikeouts, surpassing Walter Johnson. Unfortunately for Scherzer, the good times were short-lived after he gave up back-to-back solo home runs to Trea Turner and Bryce Harper, leading to the right-hander being pulled. In what is likely Scherzer's last season, he needs 18 more strikeouts to match Gaylord Parry for ninth on the all-time Ks leaderboard. Scherzer's next start is scheduled for next week at the Rogers Centre against the Yankees. |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Returns to action Saturday
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 8:20 PM
Guerrero (hamstring) returned to action Saturday evening against the Phillies and homered in his first at-bat against Aaron Nola.
Analysis: Guerrero has been nursing hamstring and back issues in the midst of a terribly disappointing season. The homer on Saturday night is his seventh of the season - all on the road. With two hits in his first four plate appearances on Saturday night, his slugging percentage remains paltry at .359. |
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George Springer George Springer Scratched from lineup Saturday
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 3:50 PM
Springer has been removed from Saturday's starting lineup versus Philadelphia due to left shoulder tightness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: According to Zwelling, the issue is one that Springer has been dealing with for "the last couple days." With Springer pulled from the lineup, Jesus Sanchez is moving to DH, and Myles Straw is now starting in left field. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, manager John Schneider said Springer is available off the bench Saturday. |
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Kazuma Okamoto Kazuma Okamoto Beginning on bench Saturday
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 3:45 PM
Okamoto isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies.
Analysis: Okamoto is out of the lineup for the first time since July 28 after going 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts Friday and batting just 2-for-18 with nine punchouts over his previous four contests, mainly while covering first base as Vladimir Guerrero dealt with a hamstring issue. Guerrero will return to action Saturday, and Josh Smith gets another start at the hot corner. |
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Alejandro Kirk Alejandro Kirk Getting rest Saturday
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 3:40 PM
Kirk isn't in the starting lineup Saturday versus Philadelphia.
Analysis: Kirk will begin on the bench after starting both Thursday and Friday, going 4-for-8 with three RBI in that pair of contests. Brandon Valenzuela is getting a turn behind the plate in Kirk's stead. |
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Pushing for promotion
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 10:16 AM
Parker collected five hits, including two doubles and a home run, across both games of a doubleheader for Single-A Dunedin on Friday.
Analysis: The eighth overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft has spent his entire first pro season at Single-A so far, but Parker is making a strong case for a promotion before the end of the year. He's hit safely in eight straight games, batting .441 (15-for-34) during that blistering stretch with eight extra-base hits, including four homers. Over his last 40 contests for Dunedin dating back to June 9, Parker has produced a .293/.403/.587 slash line with nine homers, nine steals, 38 runs, 41 RBI and an acceptable 23.8 percent strikeout rate. |
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Makes impact in MLB debut
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 8:50 AM
Bateman went 1-for-2 with two walks, a double and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.
Analysis: Making his MLB debut, Bateman got the start in center field and hit ninth and didn't appear overmatched -- the 24-year-old lashed the very first pitch he saw from Zack Wheeler off the wall in left-center field, missing a homer by a foot or two. The Blue Jays have a vacancy in center after trading Daulton Varsho at the deadline, and Bateman could claim the strong side of a platoon with Myles Straw if he keeps producing. Over 84 Triple-A games this season between Buffalo and Iowa, Bateman compiled a .311/.429/.416 slash line with three homers and 20 steals. |
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Josh Smith Josh Smith Big day in Friday's start
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 8:43 AM
Smith went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two additional runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.
Analysis: Getting the start at third base while Kazuma Okamoto covered first for Vladimir Guerrero (hamstring), Smith collected his first hits in four games as a member of the Blue Jays, including an eighth-inning long ball off Caleb Kilian. It's been a disappointing season for the 29-year-old utility player, but a fresh start may be just what he needs after being acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline. Smith will likely continue seeing action against right-handed pitching at the hot corner while Guerrero is sidelined. |
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Tyler Rogers Tyler Rogers Escapes with fourth save
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 8:38 AM
Rogers recorded his fourth save of the season in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks in the ninth inning. He didn't strike out a batter.
Analysis: With Louis Varland unavailable after working the prior two days, Rogers got the call in the ninth to protect a 5-2 lead and very nearly blew it. The submarining right-hander loaded the bases with nobody out on two walks and a catcher's interference call, but after an RBI grounder from Trea Turner and an infield single by Bryce Harper, Rogers was able to escape the jam on a couple strong defensive plays -- including one of his own, when he covered first base to get the final out. It's just the second time in 15 appearances since June 27 that Rogers has been tagged for any runs at all, and on the season he sports a 1.73 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB through 52 innings with one win and 23 holds in addition to his saves. |
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Jose Soriano Jose Soriano Inefficient in Jays debut
Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 8:32 AM
Soriano didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: The start of the game was delayed by two hours due to bad weather, and that combined with any nerves from debuting for a new team may have impacted Soriano's focus and efficiency. The right-hander tossed 62 of 94 pitches for strikes, and after a 1-2-3 first inning he dealt with traffic on the basepaths in every frame, including runners on second and third with nobody out in the fifth. Soriano rallied to fan Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner before being lifted, however. It wasn't the most impressive performance for Toronto's newest member of the rotation, but Soriano hasn't allowed more than three runs in six straight outings dating back to June 30, posting a 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB through 32.2 innings over that stretch. He'll look to provide more length in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Red Sox. |
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Chase Lee Chase Lee Moved to Triple-A
Fri, Aug 7, 2026, 6:16 PM
The Blue Jays optioned Lee to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.
Analysis: The move makes room on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster for newcomer Matt Waldron. Lee appeared in two games out of Toronto's bullpen since being recalled Wednesday, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter across two frames. He has spent most of the 2026 season in Triple-A, where he has a 2.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, five saves and a 40:18 K:BB over 45 innings. |
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Making major-league debut Friday
Fri, Aug 7, 2026, 4:54 PM
Bateman will start in center field and bat ninth against the Phillies on Friday.
Analysis: Bateman was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade package that saw Kevin Gausman being sent to the Cubs. Bateman will waste no time in contributing to his new team, as he will make his major-league debut Friday. He posted an .851 OPS with 20 steals (in 23 chances), three home runs and 33 RBI across 349 plate appearances with Triple-A Iowa prior to his trade to Toronto. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Pulled off rehab with foot symptoms
Fri, Aug 7, 2026, 3:57 PM
Arrighetti will undergo an MRI on his injured right foot after exiting Thursday's rehab start, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Arrighetti experienced symptoms similar to the nerve issues he's previously dealt with, according to Zwelling. He's meeting the Blue Jays in Philadelphia and will undergo further testing. "Hopefully just a little pause, not a restart or reset," manager John Schneider said Friday. Arrighetti was acquired from the Astros in exchange for Daulton Varsho at the trade deadline earlier this week. |
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Yimi Garcia Yimi Garcia Likely done for season
Fri, Aug 7, 2026, 3:51 PM
Garcia (elbow/neck/biceps) has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Garcia will undergo further testing to decide if he needs surgery, but manager John Schneider said Garcia's season is likely over. The right-hander has pitched in just one big-league game since May 22 of last season, and he was recently pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment due to ongoing arm issues. Garcia turns 36 years old later this month. |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Remains out of lineup Friday
Fri, Aug 7, 2026, 2:46 PM
Guerrero (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.
Analysis: Guerrero will miss a third straight start due to hamstring tightness and general fatigue. Kazuma Okamoto is starting at first base again and batting fifth against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler. |
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DFA'd by Toronto
Fri, Aug 7, 2026, 2:09 PM
The Blue Jays designated Martin for assignment Friday.
Analysis: Toronto needed the 40-man roster spot to promote newcomer Brett Bateman to the big leagues. Martin has spent time with the Royals, Orioles and Blue Jays' organizations this season and owns a .280/.408/.415 slash line with eight homers, 32 RBI, 52 runs scored, 39 stolen bases and a 47:71 BB:K across 294 plate appearances at Double-A and Triple-A. |
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Luis Urias Luis Urias Sent to injured list
Fri, Aug 7, 2026, 2:06 PM
The Blue Jays placed Urias on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a strained right quadriceps.
Analysis: Urias was injured in Thursday's loss to the Cubs and will now spend at least the next 10 days out of the lineup. Davis Schneider could get more playing time at second base against left-handed pitching while Urias is sidelined. The veteran infielder is slashing .250/.322/.481 with three homers, eight RBI, five runs scored and a 6:10 BB:K across 59 plate appearances with Toronto this season. |
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