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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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Kevin Gausman Kevin Gausman Steady in first win
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 6:27 PM
Gausman (1-1) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings to earn the win Sunday against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Gausman had an eight-run lead before he ever threw a pitch in this contest, and that gave him plenty of breathing room. He allowed a single run in each of the second and sixth innings, coming away with a quality start while throwing 54 of 86 pitches for strikes. Gausman has struggled to get decisions early in 2026, but he's thrown three quality starts in five outings, pitching to a 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB over 28.1 innings. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Guardians. |
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Tyler Heineman Tyler Heineman Hitting bench Sunday
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 3:01 PM
Heineman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: After a recent bout with back spasms, Heineman returned to the lineup Thursday and started three straight games, going 1-for-9 with an RBI and a run scored. Though Brandon Valenzuela will get the nod behind the plate Sunday, Heineman could be the Blue Jays' preferred option at catcher until Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is ready to return from the injured list. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Sitting again Sunday
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 1:02 PM
Varsho (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: It's the second straight day on the bench for Varsho after he exited Friday's contest in Arizona due to left knee discomfort. The outfielder should be considered day-to-day as Myles Straw picks up a second consecutive start in center field Sunday. |
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Jeff Hoffman Jeff Hoffman Serves up grand slam in second loss
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 9:55 PM
Hoffman (1-2) took the loss Saturday against the Diamondbacks, allowing four runs on three hits and one walk in the eighth inning. He struck out two.
Analysis: Summoned to keep the game tied at 2-2 in the eighth frame, Hoffman proceeded to allow three consecutive baserunners and a subsequent grand slam to Corbin Carroll before recording the next three outs. The right-hander's grip on Toronto's closer role continues to loosen, as he's produced a 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP and converted just two of his five save opportunities through 9.1 innings. Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland appear to be the next men up in the bullpen should the Blue Jays consider other alternatives, though manager John Schneider stated that Hoffman remains the team's closer following the game, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. |
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Max Scherzer Max Scherzer Bounces back with six strong frames
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 9:40 PM
Scherzer took a no-decision Saturday against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out one.
Analysis: After yielding allowing eight runs his last time out versus the Twins, Scherzer got back on track Saturday with his second quality start of the year and his first since his 2026 debut. It was also the veteran right-hander's first start of the season where he didn't serve up a home run. While Scherzer still has an ugly 7.16 ERA through his first 16.1 frames, he does hold a more palatable 1.29 WHIP and is also set for a fairly soft matchup against the Guardians for his next start. |
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Lenyn Sosa Lenyn Sosa Getting breather Saturday
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 4:29 PM
Sosa isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Sosa's 0-for-3 performance Friday ended what had been a seven-game hitting streak. The Blue Jays will give him a break Saturday, providing Eloy Jimenez with an opportunity to work as the DH. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Not starting Saturday
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 4:25 PM
Varsho (knee) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Varsho was taken out of Friday's contest due to left knee discomfort, and the Blue Jays will give him a day off Saturday so he can recover. Myles Straw will fill in as Toronto's center fielder and bat eighth. |
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Should play through finger issue
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 10:29 AM
Guerrero picked up a minor finger injury in Friday's loss to the Brewers, but Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated after the game that the first baseman is expected to be in the lineup Saturday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Guerrero's left index finger clipped Jorge Barrosa on a play at first base, but he remained in the game Friday and doesn't look like he'll miss any time. Toronto can ill afford to lose Guerrero too given all their other injuries, and through 19 games he's slashing .319/.427/.420 with one homer and eight RBI. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Exits with knee discomfort
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 9:41 PM
Varsho was removed from Friday's game against the Diamondbacks with left knee discomfort.
Analysis: Varsho struck out during his lone at-bat before being replaced in center field in the third inning. More information on the severity of his injury will likely come out in the near future, and if the 29-year-old has to miss any amount of time, Myles Straw would be the next man up to start in center field. |
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Lazaro Estrada Lazaro Estrada Option reversed, placed on IL
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 8:52 PM
The Blue Jays placed Estrada on the MLB 15-day injured list April 5 with a right shoulder impingement, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Estrada was originally optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, but the team later discovered a shoulder issue that he suffered while playing in the big leagues, so he'll land on the major-league IL. He'll be eligible to return to action Monday, at which point the Blue Jays will likely send him back down to Buffalo. |
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Cody Ponce Cody Ponce Successfully undergoes surgery
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 6:40 PM
Ponce underwent surgery Friday to repair the ACL in his right knee, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Ponce sprained his right ACL in late March, which was a severe enough injury to require season-ending surgery, but he should be available for the start of spring training. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays in December after spending three seasons in Japan. Ponce's start against the Rockies on March 30 -- when he suffered his injury -- was his first appearance in an MLB game since 2021, when he played with the Pirates. |
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Trey Yesavage Trey Yesavage Slated for rehab start Tuesday
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 6:33 PM
Yesavage (shoulder) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Per Mitch, Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters Friday that there was some uncertainty as to whether Yesavage will join the team next week in Los Angeles. It looks like the 22-year-old right-hander will get at least one more start in the minors, and Patrick Corbin's strong start Thursday against the Brewers may have factored into that decision. Assuming Yesavage doesn't suffer any setbacks in his next rehab start, he could rejoin the Blue Jays for the opener of their home series against the Red Sox that begins Monday, April 27. In Yesavage's last rehab start with Buffalo on Wednesday, he allowed three runs on seven hits (including two homers) and one walk while striking out five across 4.1 innings. |
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Nathan Lukes Nathan Lukes On bench Friday
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 5:14 PM
Lukes isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Lukes will sit down for a second consecutive game after going 0-for-23 at the plate since the beginning of the month. Davis Schneider, Dautlon Varsho and Jesus Sanchez will start across the outfield while Lukes rests. |
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Braydon Fisher Braydon Fisher Will work as opener Friday
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 11:13 AM
Fisher will work as the opener Friday against the Diamondbacks, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The righty will work ahead of bulk reliever Eric Lauer. Fisher has appeared in eight games out of the bullpen for Toronto this season, posting a microscopic 0.93 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB across 9.2 innings. Fisher pitched Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and his season high for pitches in a game is 32, so he's unlikely to work more than an inning or two. |
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Tommy Nance Tommy Nance Stuck with loss Thursday
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 9:29 AM
Nance (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, giving up one run on one hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He didn't strike out a batter.
Analysis: The 35-year-old right-hander gave up a couple baserunners after replacing Patrick Corbin in the sixth inning with the score tied 1-1, but he was able to escape without giving up a run. Nance wasn't so lucky in the seventh -- a leadoff walk to Garrett Mitchell wound up leading to the game-winning run after three straight bunts by Milwaukee. Nance isn't part of Toronto's usual high-leverage crew, and while he does have a 9:4 K:BB through 7.2 innings to begin the season, that comes with a 7.04 ERA and 1.83 WHIP. |
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Jose Berrios Jose Berrios Shows good velocity in rehab start
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 9:23 AM
Berrios (elbow) gave up five runs on five hits and a walk over 2.2 innings for Single-A Dunedin on Thursday, striking out three.
Analysis: The final line was ugly, but most of the damage came in the first inning as the veteran right-hander began to clear off some rust in his first rehab start. More encouragingly, his velocity was up from last season -- per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Berrios' average four-seam fastball velocity of 94.2 mph in the first two innings Thursday was 1.2 mph higher than his 2025 mark, while his sinker showed a similar bump. Berrios built up to 47 pitches in the outing as he works through a minor stress fracture in his pitching elbow, and he'll likely need one or two more minor-league starts before being an option for the Blue Jays' injury-depleted rotation. |
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Trey Yesavage Trey Yesavage No decision yet on activation
Fri, Apr 17, 2026, 9:14 AM
Yesavage (shoulder) could make his 2026 debut in Anaheim next week, and the Blue Jays will make a decision some time this weekend on whether to activate the right-hander from the injured list or have him make one more rehab start, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports. "Still don't know where the next [start]'s going to be," manager John Schneider said Thursday. "Will probably figure that out in the next couple days."
Analysis: Yesavage built up to 71 pitches in his most recent rehab start Wednesday at Triple-A Buffalo, putting him on track to handle 85-90 pitches his next time out. While the 22-year-old's workload is where it needs to be, Yesavage's average fastball velocity of 93.3 mph Wednesday was a tick below last year's 94.8 mph mark, and his command wasn't quite there either. Patrick Corbin's effective performance Thursday may encourage Toronto to give Yesavage one more rehab outing rather than rushing him back to the majors. |
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