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Josh Smith Josh Smith Sent to IL with hamstring inflammation
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 3:33 PM
The Blue Jays placed Smith on the 10-day injured list Friday with left hamstring inflammation.
Analysis: Smith started and played the entire game Wednesday against the Rays, so it's unclear when he injured his hamstring. The utility man is 7-for-28 at the plate with two homers, three RBI, eight runs scored, one stolen base and a 3:11 BB:K in 14 games with the Blue Jays. Davis Schneider has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. |
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Sent back to Triple-A
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 3:30 PM
The Blue Jays optioned Cellucci to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.
Analysis: Cellucci had his contract selected Wednesday but didn't appear in a game during his 48 hours with the big club, so his major-league debut will have to wait. He loses his spot on the 26-man roster to Spencer Arrighetti, who was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move. |
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Davis Schneider Davis Schneider Back in big leagues
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 3:28 PM
The Blue Jays recalled Schneider from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.
Analysis: Schneider was optioned to Triple-A 11 days ago but is back in the big leagues after Josh Smith was placed on the 10-day IL with left hamstring inflammation. Schneider has had a miserable season at the plate, slashing .142/.295/.274 with three homers, 12 RBI, 18 runs scored, one stolen base and a 25:47 BB:K across 140 plate appearances. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Activated from IL
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 3:26 PM
The Blue Jays activated Arrighetti (foot) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: While Mason Fluharty is getting the start as the opener Friday against the Yankees, Arrighetti is expected to pitch as the bulk reliever. The right-hander has been shelved since July 24 and was acquired from the Astros at the trade deadline earlier this month in exchange for Daulton Varsho. Arrighetti owns a 4.60 ERA and 87:50 K:BB across 88 innings this season. |
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Kazuma Okamoto Kazuma Okamoto Launches 26th homer
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 10:03 AM
Okamoto went 2-for-5 with a double and a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Rays.
Analysis: Getting another start at first base with Vladimir Guerrero (concussion) on the shelf and batting fifth, Okamoto got the Blue Jays on the board by ripping an Ian Seymour slider into the left-field seats to lead off the second inning. Okamoto has hit safely in six straight games, collecting two double and two homers during that stretch, and in his first MLB campaign he's delivered a .230/.302/.440 slash line with 26 home runs and 74 RBI in 124 contests. |
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Nathan Lukes Nathan Lukes Clubs seventh homer
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 9:59 AM
Lukes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Rays.
Analysis: The 32-year-old outfielder led off the fifth inning by lofting an Ian Seymour changeup into the right-field seats, putting the Blue Jays in the lead for good. Lukes has been struggling overall in August, slashing .185/.206/.277 across 19 games with two of his seven homers on the season and six of his 24 RBI. |
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Daz Cameron Daz Cameron Belts first homer as Blue Jay
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 9:56 AM
Cameron went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's win over the Rays.
Analysis: Getting the start in left field and batting second, Cameron crushed a fifth-inning changeup that Ian Seymour left up in the zone, sending it an estimated 442 feet into the left-field seats. It was the 29-year-old's first homer in three games since being added to the Blue Jays' roster. In 163 MLB games over parts of six seasons with four different clubs, the second-generation player has managed a .204/.261/.336 slash line with 12 home runs and 15 stolen bases. |
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Mason Fluharty Mason Fluharty Opening for Blue Jays on Friday
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 8:22 AM
Fluharty will serve as the Blue Jays' opener in Friday's game against the Yankees, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Analysis: Spencer Arrighetti (foot) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list and work in bulk relief behind Fluharty, who has been been in a groove in August. Over 11 appearances on the month, Fluharty has tossed eight scoreless innings while yielding no hits and two walks. |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Feels better, no MRI scheduled
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 3:35 PM
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Gimenez had "good strength, good mobility" during testing of his right hamstring after Thursday's game versus the Rays, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Gimenez was removed from Thursday's game when he tweaked his hamstring while attempting to beat out an infield single. The Blue Jays will wait to see how Gimenez feels Friday, but for now he is not scheduled to undergo an MRI. If Gimenez does ultimately have to miss time, Josh Smith and/or Charles McAdoo would be in line for more playing time. |
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Shane Bieber Shane Bieber Dazzles in fifth win
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 3:04 PM
Bieber (5-2) notched the win against Tampa Bay on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out seven.
Analysis: Bieber authored arguably his finest performance of the season so far, spinning seven innings of one-run ball versus the first-place Rays. The right-hander matched a season high in innings and registered a season-best seven punchouts, throwing at least 5.2 innings in his fourth straight start as well. Bieber will try to further improve on a 4.53 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 44:24 K:BB over 55.2 innings in his next scheduled appearance, which is projected to be a favorable home draw versus the Royals. |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Lifted with hamstring injury
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 1:16 PM
Gimenez was removed from Thursday's game versus the Rays in the fourth inning with a right hamstring injury, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Gimenez was attempting to beat out an infield single in the top of the fourth inning when he tweaked his hamstring while running through the first-base bag. He walked off the field gingerly and did not take his position for the bottom of the frame. The Blue Jays should have more on Gimenez's status after the game, but it looked like an issue that could force a stint on the injured list. If that happens, Ernie Clement would likely take over at shortstop, with Josh Smith and/or Charles McAdoo handling second base. Gimenez went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases Thursday before exiting. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti On track to return Friday
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 11:01 AM
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Arrighetti (foot) is "on track to pitch [Friday] if we need him," Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Arrighetti threw 3.2 innings and 50 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, and he came out of a bullpen session Wednesday with no issues. While the right-hander appears in line to be part of Toronto's pitching plan Friday against the Yankees, it's unclear whether it will be a traditional start or in bulk relief. It will be Arrighetti's Blue Jays debut, as he was acquired via trade from the Astros after landing on the 15-day injured list in late July with Morton's neuroma in his right foot. |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Clears concussion protocol
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 10:49 AM
Guerrero has cleared concussion protocol and will play a rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Thursday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Guerrero went through a full on-field workout Wednesday and bounced back well, clearing the way for him to get in some at-bats in the minors Thursday. As long as he comes out of that contest with no setbacks, Vlad Jr. will be activated from the 7-day injured list when first eligible ahead of Saturday's game versus the Yankees. |
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Alejandro Kirk Alejandro Kirk Goes yard again Wednesday
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 10:06 AM
Kirk went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Rays.
Analysis: The backstop got the Jays on the board with a solo shot off Drew Rasmussen in the top of the fourth inning. Kirk has left the yard in consecutive games and three times in the last five as part of an eight-game hitting streak. Over that heater, he's produced a .424/.500/.758 slash line with two doubles, five runs, nine RBI and a 5:2 BB:K. |
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Ernie Clement Ernie Clement Returning from one-day absence
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 9:45 AM
Clement (illness) will start at second base and bat seventh in Thursday's contest against the Rays.
Analysis: Clement was unavailable for Wednesday's game because he was under the weather, but he'll give it a go in Thursday's series finale. The infielder has produced just a .550 OPS so far in August. |
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Brett Bateman Brett Bateman Not in lineup Thursday
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 9:43 AM
Bateman (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rays.
Analysis: Bateman had to be removed from Wednesday's game because of right hamstring tightness, so it's not a surprise he's not ready to play in Thursday's afternoon contest. Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, an MRI on Bateman's hamstring came back negative, and he could be available off the bench. Myles Straw will handle center field for Toronto. |
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Joe Mantiply Joe Mantiply Begins rehab assignment
Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 8:42 AM
Mantiply (knee) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday, striking out one in a perfect inning.
Analysis: It was the left-hander's first outing in more than three months, as he's been working his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Mantiply will likely need at least a couple more rehab appearances before rejoining the Blue Jays' active roster. |
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Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Stumbles in sixth loss
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 9:44 PM
Scherzer (1-6) took the loss against the Rays on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out one.
Analysis: Jesus Sanchez misplayed a ball in left field that was popped up by Richie Palacios, which helped plate a pair of runs in the fourth inning, but it was still a discouraging outing by Scherzer. The seven runs allowed tied a season worst for the 42-year-old right-hander, who had pitched at least five innings while yielding three runs or fewer in his prior three starts. Scherzer will take a career-worst 7.40 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 32:20 K:BB across 45 innings into his next scheduled start at home against the Royals. |
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Brett Bateman Brett Bateman Pulled with hamstring tightness
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 7:35 PM
Bateman was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays due to right hamstring tightness.
Analysis: Bateman went 0-for-2 before his hamstring forced him out of the game in the fifth inning. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but Myles Straw could be in line to start in center field if Bateman needs to miss any amount of time. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Option to start Friday
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 3:38 PM
Arrighetti (foot) could be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Yankees, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Arrighetti threw 3.2 innings and 50 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, so if he does come back Friday he would be facing workload limitations. The right-hander is dealing with Morton's neuroma in his right foot, and the expectation is that he will have to pitch through some discomfort down the stretch for the Blue Jays. |
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