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Kazuma Okamoto Kazuma Okamoto Collects four hits in victory
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 11:10 PM
Okamoto went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in Saturday's 4-3 win over Kansas City.
Analysis: Okamoto broke a 2-2 tie in the third inning with a run-scoring double. After the Royals tied things up in the fourth, Okamoto again unknotted the score in the seventh frame with a single that plated what turned out to be the winning run. The rookie third baseman finished with the first four-hit effort of his MLB career while logging multiple knocks for the first time since Aug. 20. Okamoto is at a .233/.305/.445 slash line with 28 home runs, 23 doubles, 81 RBI, 73 runs and one stolen base through 137 games on the season. |
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Louis Varland Louis Varland Cruises to 33rd save
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 10:51 PM
Varland earned a save against the Royals on Saturday, striking out one batter in one perfect inning.
Analysis: Varland had no wiggle room when he entered in the ninth inning tasked with protecting a one-run lead. The right-hander didn't flinch, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes). Varland registered his 11th straight scoreless appearance, and he's gone 9-for-9 in save opportunities while recording a 13:3 K:BB across 12 innings during that span. He entered the campaign without a single save to his ledger over 112 career regular-season MLB appearances, but Varland has blossomed as Toronto's closer in 2026, as he ranks fourth in the majors with 33 saves in 34 chances. |
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Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Hangs tough after rough first inning
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 10:41 PM
Scherzer allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Kansas City on Saturday.
Analysis: Scherzer began his outing by allowing four straight batters to reach base on a hit-by-pitch, a double and two singles. That resulted in two Royals runs before the veteran hurler had recorded an out. Scherzer was able to bounce back, however, allowing just one more run and completing 5.2 frames on a an efficient -- especially in light of how his start began -- 76 pitches. This wasn't anywhere close in quality to the 10-strikeout, seven-inning scoreless appearance Scherzer posted in his previous start, but it was nonetheless a gritty effort that ultimately helped his team to a win. After registering a 10.23 ERA across his first six starts this season, Scherzer has given up three or fewer earned runs in seven of his subsequent eight outings. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Now lined up to start Sunday
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 10:27 PM
Arrighetti will start against the Royals on Sunday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: A previous report had indicated that Arrighetti would be pitching behind an opener for a second straight outing, but it now appears the right-hander will work as a traditional starter. Arrighetti has struggled to a 6.55 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a 10:5 K:BB over 11 innings across three starts as a Blue Jay, and he hasn't thrown more than 79 pitches in any of those outings, so he's a very shaky fantasy play despite the favorable matchup. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Slated for bulk-relief role Sunday
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 9:28 PM
Arrighetti is expected to work in bulk relief behind an opener Sunday versus Kansas City, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Arrighetti is slated to work behind an opener for the third time in what will be his fourth outing since joining Toronto. The right-hander has struggled as a member of the Blue Jays regardless of his role, as he's given up nine runs (eight earned) over 11 innings so far. Zwelling suggests that Arrighetti will be available for up to 85 pitches Sunday. It's unclear who will serve as the opener, but Spencer Miles worked in that capacity for Arrighetti's last appearance and may do the same Sunday. |
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Shane Bieber Shane Bieber Aiming for mound work next week
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 4:37 PM
Manager John Schneider said Saturday that he hopes Bieber (shoulder) will be cleared to throw off a mound sometime next week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Bieber has been on the shelf with a right teres major strain since Aug. 25. He began throwing off flat ground Friday and will likely require another flat-ground session or two before moving to a mound. With slightly more than three weeks remaining in the regular season, it's more likely that the 31-year-old righty will have to wait until the postseason before rejoining the Blue Jays' pitching staff. |
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Jesus Sanchez Jesus Sanchez Losing out on playing time
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 3:21 PM
Sanchez is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Royals on Saturday.
Analysis: Sanchez has been in Toronto's starting lineup just twice over the last seven games despite the Blue Jays facing right-handed pitching in some of those contests. Myles Straw is starting in left field and batting ninth looks to be the preferred option in the outfield over Sanchez for the time being. |
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Ricky Tiedemann Ricky Tiedemann Back with Toronto
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 3:00 PM
The Blue Jays recalled Tiedemann from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.
Analysis: Tiedemann was optioned to Triple-A on Friday, but he's back with the big club after Jameson Taillon (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Tidemann made his major-league debut Aug. 15 against the Yankees and made a second appearance with the Blue Jays on Tuesday against the Guardians, when he walked two batters in one scoreless inning. |
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Jameson Taillon Jameson Taillon Officially moved to 15-day IL
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 2:58 PM
The Blue Jays placed Taillon on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right elbow inflammation.
Analysis: Taillon made his return from the 15-day injured list Friday against the Royals, but his night abruptly ended after just two innings and 29 pitches of work. Further tests revealed elbow inflammation, and the right-hander will be shelved until at least the end of the regular season, though it's unclear whether he'll be cleared to return once eligible Sept. 20. Southpaw Ricky Tiedemann was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. |
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Shawn Ross Shawn Ross Claimed off waivers by Toronto
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 1:34 PM
The Blue Jays claimed Ross off waivers from the Mets on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo.
Analysis: Ross will join the Blue Jays organization after being designated for assignment by the Mets on Thursday. He is slashing .184/.333/.418 with three steals, 11 home runs and 29 RBI across 245 plate appearances in the minors this season, with the vast majority of his playing time taking place in Triple-A. |
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Jameson Taillon Jameson Taillon Expected to land on IL
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 10:40 PM
Taillon (elbow) will undergo an MRI on Friday night and will likely be placed on the injured list Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Taillon's return from the IL didn't last long, as the elbow injury -- described by Taillon as more of a nerve issue -- cut Friday's outing short after two innings and 29 pitches. The Blue Jays' hands are tied with the bullpen taxed in relief of Taillon, and their options to replace Taillon in the rotation are limited with Trey Yesavage (knee) still a ways off. |
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Jameson Taillon Jameson Taillon Leaves Friday with elbow discomfort
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 8:43 PM
Taillon was removed from Friday's game against the Royals with right elbow discomfort.
Analysis: Taillon was just activated Friday after missing time with a forearm issue, and he lasted only two innings and 29 pitches in his return. His availability for his next start is very much up in the air, yet the Blue Jays might not have much of a choice but to make a roster move to replenish the bullpen after Taillon's abbreviated outing. |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Idle against lefty
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 4:48 PM
Gimenez is not in the lineup for Toronto's matchup with Kansas City on Friday.
Analysis: As the Royals send out southpaw Daniel Lynch to the mound, Gimenez will ride the bench for Friday's series opener. Ernie Clement will slide over to shortstop and bat seventh for the Blue Jays. |
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Ricky Tiedemann Ricky Tiedemann Headed to Triple-A
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 4:43 PM
Toronto optioned Tiedemann to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.
Analysis: Tiedemann made just one appearance with the Blue Jays since being called up Sept. 1. The southpaw has made seven appearances with Buffalo, registering a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over eight innings. The Blue Jays sent the 24-year-old down to clear a spot on the active roster for Jameson Taillon (forearm) in his return from the injured list. |
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Jameson Taillon Jameson Taillon Reinstated from IL, starting Friday
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 4:37 PM
Toronto activated Taillon (forearm) from the 15-day IL and he will start Friday's game against the Royals.
Analysis: Taillon, who has been shelved since Aug. 11, will make his return to the big-league mound Friday. In two starts for Toronto since being traded by the Cubs, the right-hander owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB over eight innings. The Blue Jays optioned Ricky Tiedemann to Triple-A Buffalo to clear a roster spot for Taillon. |
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Brett Bateman Brett Bateman Three more hits in Thursday's win
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 10:19 AM
Bateman went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Thursday's win over the Guardians.
Analysis: It's Bateman's third three-hit performance in his last 11 games as he continues to provide a jolt to the top of the Blue Jays' batting order. Over that stretch, the rookie center fielder has a stunning .395/.449/.488 slash line with two doubles, a triple, two steals, three RBI and 10 runs scored. |
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Josh Smith Josh Smith Draws three walks in win
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 10:16 AM
Smith went 0-for-2 with three walks and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Guardians.
Analysis: Starting at third base and batting sixth, Smith didn't manage to put the ball in play on the night, striking out twice in addition to his walks. Through 16 games for the Blue Jays since being picked up from the Rangers at the trade deadline, Smith has delivered a .250/.368/.531 slash line -- a remarkable turnaround from the .213/.299/.272 line he'd limped to in Texas this season. Per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, Smith's improvement can be largely attributed to tweaks with his swing suggested by his new hitting coaches that have upped his bat speed from 68.3 mph with the Rangers to 74.0 mph during Wednesday's game. "[It's about] knowing what I'm best at," Smith said Thursday about the adjustments. "Like how the way my body is moving when it's best, the type of load patterns and stuff like that. They've really helped out." |
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Andres Gimenez Andres Gimenez Swipes 20th bag
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 10:07 AM
Gimenez went 1-for-5 with a stolen base in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Guardians.
Analysis: The former Cleveland shortstop swiped his first bag since Aug. 20 to reach 20 for the fourth time in his career. Gimenez has been finding ways to contribute at the plate down the stretch, and over 27 games since the beginning of August he's produced a .281/.337/.360 slash line with one homer, eight steals, nine runs and 11 RBI. |
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Tyler Rogers Tyler Rogers Pockets hold No. 30
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 10:03 AM
Rogers worked a scoreless eighth inning Thursday to record his 30th hold of the season in a 6-3 win over the Guardians. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
Analysis: The veteran reliever hit Brayan Rocchio with a pitch, but it was otherwise an efficient appearance from Rogers, who needed just nine pitches (six strikes) to protect a 5-3 lead before the Blue Jays tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Rogers has reached 30 holds for a fourth straight season and the fifth time in his career, and he's got a strong chance of topping the career high of 33 he set with the Giants in 2024. |
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Shane Bieber Shane Bieber May not be back until playoffs
Fri, Sep 4, 2026, 9:57 AM
Bieber (shoulder) was scheduled to throw off flat ground Thursday, but he remains without a timeline for his return to game action, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Blue Jays have just 21 games left on their regular-season schedule, and it's looking increasingly likely that if Bieber pitches again this year, it will have to be in the playoffs. The veteran righty was just starting to find his form when he was shut down in late August with teres major inflammation, as he recorded four quality starts in seven outings after the All-Star break with a 2.84 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 38 innings. |
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