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Eric Lauer Eric Lauer Goes five innings in no-decision
Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 6:03 PM
Lauer did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Angels, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: While Lauer avoided a fourth-straight loss Wednesday, the left-hander has yet to make it through six innings in five outings this season. Overall, Lauer is 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB across 22.2 innings. He's currently slated to face the Red Sox at home his next time out. |
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Jeff Hoffman Jeff Hoffman Manager noncommittal on closer role
Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 1:59 PM
Blue Jays manager John Schneider did not commit to Hoffman as his closer when asked Wednesday if he would consider using other relievers in the ninth inning, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: Schneider said he's "not ready to make a firm comment" on the closer role, noting that he wants to have a discussion with Hoffman before announcing a decision. Hoffman was pulled from a save chance Tuesday versus the Angels with the bases loaded and one run already in. He was relieved by Louis Varland, who closed things out by inducing a game-ending double-play ball on the one and only pitch he threw. Hoffman has struck out 24 in 10.2 innings this season, but he's walked six, blown three saves and posted a 7.59 ERA and 2.06 WHIP. If Schneider does opt for a change at closer, Varland should be next in line. |
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Eloy Jimenez Eloy Jimenez Hitting bench Wednesday
Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 11:56 AM
Jimenez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.
Analysis: Following a stretch of four consecutive starts at designated hitter, Jimenez will take a seat for the series finale while Vladimir Guerrero covers the DH spot and Lenyn Sosa enters the lineup at first base. Since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo on April 12, Jimenez has gone 8-for-21 (.381 average) with three walks against four strikeouts, but his opportunities remain likely to dry up once the Blue Jays get either of George Springer (toe) or Addison Barger (ankle) back from the injured list. |
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Louis Varland Louis Varland Saves Toronto after Hoffman's dud
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 11:20 PM
Varland collected the save in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Angels, needing just one pitch to collect the final two outs of the ninth inning.
Analysis: Jeff Hoffman got the call to protect the team's 4-1 lead in the ninth. However, Hoffman's control was all over the place, hitting two batters and allowing one run and two hits with just one out. That prompted Blue Jays manager John Schneider to quickly turn to Varland to get the team out of a bases-loaded jam, and the latter saved the day for Toronto on just one pitch by getting Nolan Schanuel to ground out into a double play. It was the first save of Varland's career, and the 28-year-old right-hander has yet to give up an earned run across 12.2 innings this season. Given how Schneider went to Varland in an incredibly high-leverage situation, it appears Hoffman's grip on the Blue Jays' closing job has officially slipped. |
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Tyler Heineman Tyler Heineman On bench Tuesday
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 5:12 PM
Heineman isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels.
Analysis: Heineman has been struggling at the plate as of late, going just 1-for-12 with an RBI and a run over his last five games. He'll get a breather Tuesday; meanwhile, Brandon Valenzuela will start at catcher and bat ninth. |
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Eloy Jimenez Eloy Jimenez Two hits against southpaw Monday
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 10:27 AM
Jimenez went 2-for-3 in Monday's win over the Angels.
Analysis: Getting the start at DH and batting cleanup against lefty Reid Detmers, Jimenez banged out singles in the first and sixth innings. The 29-year-old is batting .368 (7-for-19) since being added to the Blue Jays' big-league roster, but all seven knocks have been singles and he has only one RBI. With George Springer (toe) and Addison Barger (ankles) both inching closer to returns, Jimenez's time with Toronto might be running out. |
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Louis Varland Louis Varland Brilliant in setup role again
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 10:23 AM
Varland struck out three over 1.1 perfect innings Monday to record his third hold of the season in a 5-2 win over the Angels.
Analysis: The right-hander has been the Blue Jays' best reliever through the first month of the season, producing a 0.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and dominant 19:3 K:BB through 12.1 innings while allowing just one hit so far on his high-90s four-seamer. Jeff Hoffman righted the ship a bit in Monday's win, striking out the side himself in the ninth while picking up his third save, but the Toronto closer's job security remains low given his three blown saves, 6.97 ERA and 1.94 WHIP. If Hoffman does get removed from the ninth, Varland has positioned himself to be the next man up in save situations. |
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Ricky Tiedemann Ricky Tiedemann Cleared for mound work
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 7:26 PM
Tiedemann (elbow) has been throwing bullpens at Toronto's Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Tiedemann was shut down from throwing in February after experiencing left elbow soreness. However, he's since gained clearance to resume mound work in mid March and has lately progressed to side sessions. The Blue Jays haven't provided a clear timetable for his return, but he'll report to Triple-A Buffalo once healthy. |
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Shane Bieber Shane Bieber Tossing bullpen Tuesday
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 7:19 PM
Bieber (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The Blue Jays have yet to provide a concrete timeline for Bieber's return, but the fact that he's tossing another bullpen session Tuesday is a sign that he's continuing to make his way through his throwing progression. Tuesday's side session will be his fourth since getting the green light to resume mound work. Bieber will presumably advance to facing hitters in the near future. |
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Jose Berrios Jose Berrios Making next rehab start Wednesday
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 7:12 PM
Berrios (elbow) will make his next rehab start Wednesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Berrios is in line for his second rehab start after working 2.2 innings for Single-A Dunedin on Thursday. He fired 47 pitches during Thursday's appearance, so it's fair to expect him to stretch out a bit more during Wednesday's outing. It remains to be seen whether Berrios will need an additional rehab start after Wednesday before being activated from the 15-day injured list. |
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George Springer George Springer Continuing to ramp up
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 6:39 PM
Springer (toe) will throw, hit and participate in mobility drills Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: Springer was placed on the 10-day injured list April 12 after being diagnosed with a fracture left big toe, but he's already made impressive progress in his recovery. He was cleared to resume hitting off a tee Wednesday, and he'll engage in additional baseball activities Monday. Skipper John Schneider specified that Springer will do some "dynamic warmup and mobility stuff" in addition to throwing and hitting, per Mae. The veteran outfielder isn't expected to require a rehab assignment, and if all continues to go according to plan, he could return during Toronto's upcoming homestand, which runs from Friday until April 29. |
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Yimi Garcia Yimi Garcia Cleared for live BP
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 6:34 PM
Garcia (elbow) will throw live batting practice Wednesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: Garcia will take another step forward in his rehab Wednesday by going up against live batters for the first time since undergoing surgery to clean up scar tissue around his right elbow. If all goes well in his first live BP session, he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the minors shortly after. |
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Addison Barger Addison Barger Progressing in recovery
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 6:33 PM
Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters Monday that Barger (ankles) will start running Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: Barger continues to progress in his recovery from sprained left and right ankles, and he has done enough to be cleared to start running. He may not need to embark on a rehab assignment and could be back with the Blue Jays for the start of their homestand Friday against the Guardians. |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Not in Monday's lineup
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 5:11 PM
Gimenez is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Angels on Monday.
Analysis: Monday marks the first time this season that Gimenez will not be in the lineup. The Angels are sending southpaw Reid Detmers to the mound, and with the lefty-hitting Gimenez opening the game on the bench, the Blue Jays have shifted Ernie Clement to shortstop and will start Lenyn Sosa at the keystone. Gimenez has started the 2026 season nicely, slashing .273/.305/.455 with four steals, three home runs and 12 RBI in 83 plate appearances. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Back in lineup Monday
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 5:06 PM
Varsho (knee) is starting in center field and batting seventh against the Angels on Monday.
Analysis: Varsho missed the Blue Jays' last two games due to left knee soreness that cropped up during Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, but he has recovered enough to be in the lineup for Monday's series opener. Since April 1, Varsho has gone 14-for-47 (.298) with one steal, three home runs and six RBI. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Expected back in lineup Monday
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 2:05 PM
Varsho (knee) said Sunday that he will "probably" be back in the lineup Monday against the Angels, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Varsho exited Friday's game versus the Diamondbacks and didn't play Saturday or Sunday because of left knee discomfort. However, he was feeling significantly better by Sunday and is on track to return to action for Monday's series opener. Varsho is sporting a .262/.333/.462 batting line with three home runs and one stolen base in his first 19 contests this season. |
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Nathan Lukes Nathan Lukes Visits with vertigo specialist
Mon, Apr 20, 2026, 8:33 AM
Lukes met with a Phoenix-area specialist Friday to establish a treatment plan for the vertigo symptoms that he's been experiencing for the past month, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Though the Toronto medical staff cleared Lukes to continue playing while he contends with bouts of intermittent dizziness and nausea, his performance over the first three weeks of the season has clearly been affected. He went just 2-for-31 over his first 13 games and was in the midst of an 0-for-23 stretch to begin April before delivering a pinch-hit single Friday. Lukes then proceeded to turn in a pair of three-hit performances to close out the weekend series in Arizona, noting that he's had some of his "better days" with his vision. Per the recommendation of the specialist, the 31-year-old outfielder will likely continue to take part in head-movement exercises to combat the vertigo symptoms, and the weekend surge offers hope that he's turned a corner in his recovery. |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Three-hit effort in win
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 6:38 PM
Guerrero went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Guerrero is playing through a finger issue he suffered Friday, but it's not slowing him down from making contact. He's hit safely in 10 straight games, racking up five multi-hit efforts in that span. The first baseman had the Blue Jays' first run-scoring hit in this contest, delivering a two-run single as part of a barrage of offense in the first inning. For the season, Guerrero is batting .333 with an .865 OPS, one home run, five doubles, 10 RBI, nine runs scored and a stolen base over 21 games. |
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Nathan Lukes Nathan Lukes Plates three in win
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 6:35 PM
Lukes went 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: The Blue Jays batted around in the first inning, with Lukes opening the onslaught with a single before adding a three-run double in his second at-bat of the inning. This was his second three-hit game in a row after taking a seat Friday in the series opener. He's had largely inconsistent results this season with a .214 average, .506 OPS and no home runs over 45 plate appearances. Lukes has added five RBI, four runs scored, no stolen bases and a 1:6 BB:K. Despite the flaws in his performance, he's been one of several players to fill the leadoff role against right-handed pitchers while George Springer (toe) is on the injured list. |
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Kazuma Okamoto Kazuma Okamoto Drives in three in win
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 6:32 PM
Okamoto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: This was Okamoto's third multi-hit effort in his last six games, though he's also gone hitless six times over his last nine contests. The third baseman started the year with a six-game hitting streak, but that consistency has faded a bit. He's batting .221 with a .658 OPS, three homers, two doubles, eight RBI, seven runs scored and no stolen bases across his first 20 major-league contests. He was brought in as a power bat to fill a starting role at third base, and he's done that decently well so far, though his 8:29 BB:K is a notable concern in regards to plate discipline. |
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