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Lands in Blue Jays organization
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 12:52 PM
The Blue Jays acquired Stephan and Josh Smith from the Rangers on Monday in exchange for Adam Macko, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Stephan has made 19 starts and two relief appearances for Triple-A Round Rock in 2026, collecting a 5.44 ERA and 97:31 K:BB over 101 frames. The 24-year-old will likely join the rotation at Triple-A Buffalo. |
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Josh Smith Josh Smith Bound for Toronto via trade
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 12:49 PM
The Blue Jays acquired Smith and right-hander Josh Stephan from the Rangers on Monday in exchange for left-hander Adam Macko, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Smith was sent to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday after the Rangers had been prioritizing Ezequiel Duran and Nicky Lopez ahead of him as utility options, but the versatile 28-year-old should have a better chance at earning a larger role in Toronto. Though he's mustered a lowly .571 OPS in 154 plate appearances at the big-league level in 2026, the left-handed-hitting Smith has held his own against right-handed pitching over parts of five seasons in the majors, slashing .239/.330/.355 (98 wRC+) across 470 contests. Smith has three minor-league options remaining and will be under club control through 2028. |
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Louis Varland Louis Varland Rare stumble in Sunday's loss
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 11:27 AM
Varland (3-4) took the loss Sunday against the Cardinals, giving up four runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning. He didn't strike out a batter.
Analysis: The Blue Jays closer entered the game for the top of the ninth inning with the score tied 1-1, but Varland put the first three runners aboard on a free pass and two singles, before a two-out error by Luis Urias helped open the floodgates. It was the first time since June 13 that multiple runs, earned or otherwise, had been added to Varland's ledger, and he remains a perfect 24-for-24 on save chances this season with a 1.11 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 73:16 K:BB over 56.2 innings. |
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Jose Soriano Jose Soriano Dealt to Toronto
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 8:41 AM
The Blue Jays acquired Soriano from the Angels on Monday in exchange for infielder Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-hander Angel Rivero, Mark Feinsand and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com report.
Analysis: After dealing away right-hander Kevin Gausman on Sunday, the 52-60 Blue Jays appeared to be firmly in the sellers camp heading into Monday's deadline. However, the team has replenished its rotation depth with the acquisition of Soriano, who may have carried added appeal for Toronto since he's under club control through 2028. Soriano permitted just one earned run in 37.2 innings while going 5-0 through his first six starts of the season with the Angels, but he's fallen back to earth with a 4.64 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 84:44 K:BB in 85.1 innings over his subsequent 16 outings. The 28-year-old righty could slot into the Toronto rotation as soon as Thursday's game versus the Cubs at Wrigley Field. |
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Dealt to Blue Jays
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 8:32 PM
Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene were traded from the Cubs to the Blue Jays on Sunday night in return for veteran right-handed starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Bateman has had an impressive season with Triple-A Iowa in 2026, posting a .312 average with three home runs, 33 RBI, 58 runs scored and 20 stolen bases over 81 games. The 24-year-old has yet to make his major-league debut, and he could have a chance to do so with Toronto before the end of the 2026 campaign. |
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Headed to Toronto
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 8:25 PM
Southisene and outfielder Brett Bateman were traded from the Cubs to the Blue Jays on Sunday night in return for veteran starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Southisene will join the Blue Jays' organization after posting a .326 average with four doubles, two triples, 27 RBI, 39 runs scored and 20 stolen bases over 44 games with High-A South Bend this season. The infielder was considered to be one of the Cubs' top prospects, and he is considered to be the more significant piece heading to Toronto in Sunday's transaction. |
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Lenyn Sosa Lenyn Sosa Shifts to 60-day IL
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 4:47 PM
The Blue Jays transferred Sosa (wrist) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
Analysis: Sosa will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Jameson Taillon, whom the Blue Jays acquired in a trade with the Cubs. The 26-year-old infielder has been on the shelf since May 28 due to a right wrist contusion and was pulled off a rehab assignment in late June after experiencing a setback. He resumed taking live batting practice last week and should be ready to report back to an affiliate in the near future. |
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Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Turns in quality start vs. Cards
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 3:36 PM
Scherzer allowed one run on four hits and a walk across six innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Cardinals. He struck out five.
Analysis: It was a strong bounce-back effort from Scherzer after he went only 2.2 innings in his first start back from the IL against the Nationals his last time out. Sunday's effort marked Scherzer's third quality start in eight outings this season and his first since April 18. Overall, the veteran right-hander sports a 7.92 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB across 30.2 innings this year. Scherzer is currently slated to face the Cubs on the road his next time out. |
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Jameson Taillon Jameson Taillon Shipped to Toronto
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 2:34 PM
The Blue Jays acquired Taillon from the Cubs on Sunday in exchange for cash or a player to be named later, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The veteran right-hander was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Monday, and the Blue Jays elected to secure his services via trade rather than risk another team claiming him on waivers. Unless Toronto shifts to a six-man rotation, Taillon doesn't cleanly fit into the club's starting plans, but that could change soon with Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber being candidates to be moved ahead of Monday's trade deadline. |
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Nathan Lukes Nathan Lukes Taking seat against lefty again
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 11:40 AM
Lukes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Lukes will stay on the bench for a second straight game while the Cardinals send another lefty (Matthew Liberatore) to the bump for the series finale. Myles Straw will pick up a start in right field in place of Lukes, who is slashing just .227/.306/.295 with no home runs, stolen bases or RBI and just five runs in 14 games since the All-Star break. |
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Jesus Sanchez Jesus Sanchez Idle against lefty
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 11:37 AM
Sanchez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Sanchez started in left field and went 0-for-2 in his return from the injured list in Friday's 3-1 win, but he'll end up sitting on the bench for the final two contests of the series while the Cardinals have sent lefty starters to the bump for both games. George Springer will spell Sanchez in left field Sunday. |
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Kevin Gausman Kevin Gausman Nabs fifth win Saturday
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 7:52 PM
Gausman (5-10) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on nine hits and one walk over 5.2 innings in a 5-1 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out four.
Analysis: In what could be his final start as a Blue Jay, Gausman blanked the Cards for five frames before running out of steam in the sixth and falling just short of his 12th quality start of the season. It was the veteran righty's best performance since June 30, after he'd stumbled to a 6.10 ERA in 20.2 innings over four outings in July, and his first win since May 22. If he remains with Toronto past the trade deadline, Gausman is set to take the mound on the road next week against the Cubs. |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Lashes double in return
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 10:49 AM
Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: With the Blue Jays down 1-0, Guerrero led off the sixth inning with a line-drive rocket off the wall in left-center field that left his bat at 112.4 mph. The 27-year-old slugger sat out Wednesday's game due to a sore hamstring, but after Thursday's off day he appears to be fully recovered. It's been a tough campaign for Guerrero, who is stuck in a 14-game homer drought and has just six long balls on the year, but Friday's hard contact offers some hope he might be able to close out the season on a high note. |
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Jeff Hoffman Jeff Hoffman Pockets sixth win
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 10:45 AM
Hoffman (6-7) picked up the win Friday over the Cardinals, striking out two in a perfect eighth inning.
Analysis: Trade rumors continue to swirl around the right-hander, but Hoffman hasn't let them be a distraction. He's been tagged for earned runs in only one of 10 appearances in July, posting a 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB over 9.1 innings on the month as the primary setup man for closer Louis Varland. |
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Brandon Valenzuela Brandon Valenzuela Logs three singles Friday
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 9:31 PM
Valenzuela went 3-for-4 in Friday's 3-1 win over St. Louis.
Analysis: It was Valenzela's eighth multi-hit game and the third time this season that he logged at least three hits. It was a welcome return to form at the plate for the 25-year-old catcher, who entered Friday's contest having gone 2-for-18 (.111) with a solo home run since the All-Star break. |
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Luis Urias Luis Urias Clutch two-run single Friday
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 9:25 PM
Urias went 1-for-1 with a two-run single in the Blue Jays' 3-1 win over the Cardinals on Friday.
Analysis: With the bases loaded, Urias pinch hit for Davis Schneider in the eighth inning. The former answered the call by smacking a single to left field that brought George Springer and Daulton Varsho home to give the Blue Jays the lead for good. Urias has gone 10-for-43 (.233) with three home runs and six RBI since he was traded by Arizona to Toronto on June 20. |
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Dylan Cease Dylan Cease Quality start vs. St. Louis
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 9:22 PM
Cease did not factor into Friday's game against the Cardinals, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out seven across six innings.
Analysis: It was another strong outing from Cease, whose lone blemish came in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Jordan Walker, though the former avoided the loss after the Blue Jays tied the game at 1-1 in the sixth. Cease has logged at least seven strikeouts in 14 consecutive starts and finished Friday's outing with 18 whiffs and 57 strikes on 96 pitches. The American League Cy Young candidate is up to 174 strikeouts this season, which is second-most in the majors behind Jacob Misiorowski (185). Cease will take a 2.41 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 119.1 innings into his next start, which is lined up for next week on the road against the Astros. |
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Louis Varland Louis Varland Secures 24th save
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 8:51 PM
Varland earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Cardinals, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Varland was brought in for the save opportunity after the Blue Jays took a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning. He allowed a single to Masyn Winn, but Varland secured the save by getting each of the next two Cardinal batters out. He's converted on all 24 of his save chances this season and has a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 53:14 K:BB across 47 innings. |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Back in lineup Friday
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 3:31 PM
Guerrero (hamstring) is back in the lineup for Friday's matchup against the Cardinals, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: During Thursday's day off, Guerrero tested his hitting and running to determine his availability for Friday's series opener. The 27-year-old will man first base and bat second for Toronto. |
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Braydon Fisher Braydon Fisher Reinstated from bereavement list
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 2:23 PM
The Blue Jays activated Fisher from the bereavement list Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Fisher was away for the series against the Nationals earlier this week but is back in time for the start of a homestand Friday. He's logged a 4.15 ERA and 52:26 K:BB over 52 frames for Toronto in 2026. |
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