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Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is getting the start on Wednesday in Baltimore against the Orioles. Right-hander Chris Bassitt was scheduled to start Tuesday's contest before it was postponed, and rather than just pushing Bassitt back a day, the Jays have elected to let Kikuchi take his turn in the rotation on normal rest. The 32-year-old Japanese left-hander has had a solid year to this point for Toronto, going 2-3 with a 2.64 ERA (2.59 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with nine walks and 46 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings over his eight starts. He's allowed more than three runs in an outing just once in his eight starts and went a season-high eight innings while giving up just two runs his last time out in a tough-luck loss against the Twins last Friday. Kikuchi has been a must-start in fantasy lineups in 2024, but he's up against a tough matchup in the O's on Wednesday on the road.
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner (illness) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles. Turner was under the weather on Tuesday and was scheduled to sit out, but the contest in Baltimore was postponed due to inclement weather. However, the 39-year-old veteran is still feeling bad on Wednesday and will not play. The Blue Jays have a scheduled day off on Thursday, so perhaps Turner is feeling good enough to play on Friday in the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-handed hitting Daniel Vogelbach is serving as the DH on Wednesday and will hit seventh against Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish. On the year to this point, Turner is slashing a modest .250/.321/.411 with four home runs, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored in his first 36 games with Toronto.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (illness) is back in Wednesday's lineup against the Baltimore Orioles. Springer has been under the weather of late and missed a couple games over the weekend before returning to Sunday's contest. The 34-year-old veteran was feeling sick again on Tuesday, though, and was set to be held out again before the game was postponed due to inclement weather. He's back in right field and is hitting in his customary leadoff spot against Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish. Fantasy managers may want to keep Springer on the bench despite his return, as he's gone just 5-for-31 (.161) in eight games so far in May and is hitting an even .200 (29-for-145) on the year to this point with only three home run, six RBI, six stolen bases and 13 runs scored in his first 37 games played. In his career against Bradish, Springer is hitting .412 with a 1.236 OPS, a homer and three RBI in 17 at-bats.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop prospect Leo Jimenez has settled in quite nicely in his first extended look at Triple-A and is making a case to join the major league roster later in the summer. Over the past week, Jimenez is riding a solid .263/.417/.632 line with two long balls and an impressive 4:3 BB:K ratio. On the season, he is sporting a .237/.413/.392 line with four home runs and a 23:21 BB:K ratio. This is a big step forward as the 22-year-old posted a disappointing .190/.338/.238 line through his first taste of Triple-A ball last season. Jimenez is projected to reach the major leagues this season and is worth monitoring in AL-only formats.
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen (back) is experiencing back spasms, according to manager John Schneider. Jansen is getting treatment and the hope is that he can be available off the bench, if needed, on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles on the road. Alejandro Kirk will do the catching for Toronto on Monday and will hit sixth in the batting order against Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes. Jansen will miss his second straight game after he was held out of Sunday's series finale against the Minnesota Twins. The 29-year-old should be considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to check back on Tuesday to see if Jansen is back in action. Jansen got a late start to the 2024 season due to a fractured wrist but has made up for lost time by going 17-for-54 (.315) with four home runs and seven RBI in his first 18 games.