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George Springer George Springer Sitting for second game Wednesday
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 4:46 PM
Springer is not in the starting lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.
Analysis: Toronto was eliminated from postseason contention with a loss in the first game of the day, so naturally veterans Springer and Vladimir Guerrero are sitting for the nightcap. Springer is closing out a disappointing age-36 season after a resurgent 2025. |
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Jose Rodriguez Jose Rodriguez Optioned to spring complex
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 4:45 PM
The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their spring training complex on Wednesday.
Analysis: Rodriguez pitched a scoreless inning in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Baltimore, bringing him to 4.2 shutout frames in MLB this season, but he'll be cast off the active roster ahead of the nightcap. With Dylan Cease (shoulder) moving to the injured list between games, Chase Lee and CJ Van Eyk will come up from Triple-A to fill the holes in Toronto's pitching staff. |
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CJ Van Eyk CJ Van Eyk Recalled from Triple-A
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 4:39 PM
The Blue Jays recalled Van Eyk from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Analysis: Van Eyk will join Chase Lee in moving to Toronto's bullpen to make up for the loss of Dylan Cease (shoulder) and Jose Rodriguez. Van Eyk has allowed three earned runs on 11 hits and two walks during his time with the Jays this season and will likely be limited to low-leverage work in the majors. |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Sitting for nightcap
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 4:39 PM
Guerrero is not in the starting lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.
Analysis: The Blue Jays were officially eliminated from postseason contention with a loss in the matinee, and Guerrero will rest for the nightcap. Guerrero, who went 1-for-4 in Game 1, is in danger of finishing the year with an OPS below .700, after finishing the 2025 regular season with an .848 mark. |
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Chase Lee Chase Lee Up from Buffalo
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 4:35 PM
The Blue Jays recalled Lee from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Analysis: With Dylan Cease (shoulder) landing on the injured list and Jose Rodriguez moving off the active roster, Lee will come up from the minors to replenish Toronto's bullpen depth. The 28-year-old has turned in a 2.01 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 53.2 innings in the minors this year but will likely be limited to low-leverage work with the Jays after coughing up seven earned runs in just eight MLB frames. |
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Dylan Cease Dylan Cease Done for season
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 4:30 PM
The Blue Jays placed Cease on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation.
Analysis: The Blue Jays have already confirmed that Cease's shoulder will not require surgery, but with less than a week remaining in the regular season and Toronto out of the race for a wild-card spot, the 30-year-old's move to the injured list will officially end his season. He enjoyed one of the best campaigns of his career during his first year in Toronto, registering a 2.40 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while striking out a career-high 239 batters in 169 innings (29 starts). |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Late addition to matinee lineup
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 12:08 PM
Guerrero (back) will start at first base and bat second in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Orioles.
Analysis: Guerrero was not included in the initial lineup, but he did some hitting on the field pregame and convinced Blue Jays manager John Schneider that he was ready to play. Vlad Jr. had exited Sunday's contest versus the Rangers and didn't play Monday because of lower-back tightness. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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