Toronto Blue Jays News

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement (hip) will miss his second consecutive game due to left hip soreness. The 30-year-old is, however, available off the bench if needed in Saturday's contest against Chicago. Manager John Schneider also said that, if all goes according to plan, Clement will be back in the lineup on Sunday for the team's series finale. At this point, the injury does not appear to be overly serious and is something that additional rest could resolve. That being said, if he is unable to return soon, a trip to the injured list could become a possibility. In his absence, Davis Schneider will start at second base. Clement is having a career-best season at the plate, batting .294 with seven home runs and stealing two bases. He has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Blue Jays.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is back in the Blue Jays' lineup on Saturday after exiting Friday's game early. The 27-year-old superstar tweaked his back on a swing in the sixth inning, raising some concern about his availability moving forward. While it is certainly encouraging that he is back in the lineup just one day later, he also missed two games earlier this week due to back tightness. Despite experiencing two instances of the same issue in a short span, Guerrero has once again avoided a trip to the injured list, something he has managed to do throughout his entire career. With just four home runs and a .276 batting average this season, Guerrero has yet to live up to the hefty draft price many fantasy managers paid before the season. Once fully healthy, he has the talent to be one of baseball's best players and will look to bounce back over the remainder of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) has been announced as the starter for Monday's game against the Houston Astros. News of his return came after the 31-year-old threw one final bullpen session on Saturday, erasing any doubt about his readiness to make his 2026 season debut. He previously made five rehab appearances over the past month, with his most recent outing seeing him throw up to 80 pitches. After pitching effectively late in the 2025 season, he experienced forearm fatigue during the offseason. He was later placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation and has been working his way back ever since. The Blue Jays have not yet indicated whether he will be subject to an innings limit or pitch count. However, any sort of restrictions remain possible given his recent injury history.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced that they reinstated outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) from the 10-day injured list on Saturday and optioned infielder Charles McAdoo to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Varsho is starting in center field and will bat sixth in his return to action for Saturday's contest at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Colin Rea. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder made it back quickly from his stint on the IL and didn't even require a minor-league rehab assignment. He'll be returning to a .256/.331/.408 slash line with a .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, 27 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his 211 at-bats for the Jays in 2026. In seven games in June before injuring his wrist, Varsho had gone just 1-for-7 with an RBI, a stolen base, a run scored, two walks, and two strikeouts, so fantasy managers may want to wait before reinserting him into their starting lineups immediately. Varsho has one hit in just two career at-bats against Rea.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) left Friday's game early at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs after appearing to tweak his back in the sixth inning, according to Sportsnet. Before departing early, Guerrero went 0-for-3 at the plate to lower his season average to .276 with a .731 OPS. He was replaced at first base by Charles McAdoo. We don't have an update on the severity of Vladdy's back/side injury just yet, but knowing that a back injury recently caused him to miss some time, this is absolutely an injury that could land the All-Star slugger on the injured list. The 27-year-old Canadian entered Friday's game in Chicago with a strong .279 batting average (72-for-258) and .367 on-base percentage in 71 games in 2026, but he's only homered four times in 303 plate appearances. His underlying metrics don't exactly give fantasy managers a ton of confidence that more power is coming, as he ranks in the 53rd percentile in expected slugging, the 23rd percentile in xISO, and the 64th percentile in hard-hit rate. Stay tuned for an update on his back injury.

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (hip) is dealing with some soreness in his left hip and will sit out of Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the hosting Chicago Cubs, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The Blue Jays have been looking to get Clement a day of rest during their current stretch of 16 games in 16 days. Davis Schneider is making the start at second base on Friday and will bat eighth against Cubs right-hander Ben Brown. It doesn't sound like Clement's hip injury is very serious, so he could be right back in the starting nine on Saturday on the North Side of Chicago for Game 2 of the series. The contact-oriented Clement is currently hitting a strong .294 (85-for-289) for Toronto through 74 games in 2026 with a league-high 20 doubles, seven home runs, 28 RBI, 35 runs scored, and two stolen bases across an even 300 plate appearances. He's well on his way to setting a new career high in long balls after hitting just 12 in 2024 in his second season in Toronto. Clement is attractive in most fantasy leagues for his positional eligibility at first base, second base, third base, and shortstop.

The Toronto Blue Jays are waiting until right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) throws a side session on Saturday before announcing anything officially, but there is a "strong possibility" that he will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start on Monday against the Houston Astros, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. "All signs point towards he'll be ready to go," manager John Schneider said. Bieber said he's happy with how he felt after his last minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, when he reached 80 pitches. The 31-year-old former American League Cy Young winner has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 while recovering from right-elbow inflammation. In his five rehab starts, his overall numbers weren't exactly great, posting a 6.88 ERA with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings pitched, but stuff-wise, he was pleased. The two-time All-Star returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025 in his first year in Toronto to go 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and seven walks in 40 1/3 innings in just seven regular-season starts. Bieber is no longer a fantasy ace, but he should at least be worth a roster spot as rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues, and his matchup for his first start of the season on Monday against Houston is a favorable one.

Toronto Blue Jays rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela has impressed with his bat, glove, and arm in his first year in the big leagues in 2026. Offensively, Valenzuela has exceeded expectations with a .254/.338/.454 slash line, .792 OPS, seven home runs, 18 RBI, 17 runs scored, and a stolen base across his first 47 games and 149 plate appearances. The 25-year-old also has above-average arm strength behind the dish and has been solid defensively for the Jays while helping fill in after Alejandro Kirk fractured his thumb. The Mexican native has gone 9-for-28 (.321) at the plate with three home runs, two RBI, eight RBI, and four runs scored in nine games in June, but with Kirk now back from the injured list, Valenzuela's playing time is quickly drying up. Valenzuela definitely has earned more opportunities in his rookie season, but those chances might be fewer and further between with Kirk now healthy. He's currently rostered in 9% of leagues and is merely a catcher handcuff to keep stashed in deep two-catcher fantasy leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that there's a chance that outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list on Saturday when he's first eligible, but he will "have to do a lot today and tomorrow," according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. If Varsho isn't activated this weekend, he may need to go on a short minor-league rehab assignment, consisting of a game or two. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting center fielder is recovering from inflammation in his left wrist, but his return appears to be on the horizon. Before landing on the IL, Varsho was hitting a very mediocre .256/.331/.408 with a .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, 27 runs scored, and five stolen bases for the Blue Jays in 64 games across 236 plate appearances in his fourth season with the organization. Until he returns, the light-hitting Myles Straw should continue to see most of the playing time in center field for Toronto. Varsho is only rostered in 23% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) has yet to begin a minor-league rehab assignment and might not get into games until early next week, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Barger has been slow to recover from inflammation in his right elbow, and it's the second time this year already that he's been on the IL, previously missing time with two sprained ankles. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has only played in nine games so far this season, going 1-for-22 at the plate with two RBI, two runs scored, five walks, and seven strikeouts. It's easy to write him off because of how much time he has already missed, but fantasy managers shouldn't forget that he was an asset for the Jays in 2025 in his first full season in the majors, slashing .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four steals in 135 regular-season games. Barger was also a key offensive piece in the team's run to the World Series in the postseason, and he should play regularly against right-handers when he returns from the IL. He's still rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues as he rehabs his elbow.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 14) with back spasms and recalled right-hander Chad Patrick from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Scherzer was scheduled to pitch on Wednesday evening at Fenway Park against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, but right-hander Braydon Fisher will now get the nod. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner just came off the IL last week due to a right-forearm injury, so it's obviously a frustrating development for the future Hall of Famer. Scherzer has only made six starts in 2026 with Toronto and has gone 1-4 with an ugly 10.23 ERA (8.78 FIP) and a 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks in 22 innings pitched. At this point in his career, he just has not been able to stay off the injury report with a long list of different ailments. He most likely will not be back from the IL before the mid-July All-Star break, and at this point, Scherzer returning in the second half as a starter won't be a lock.

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) was hit around a little bit in his latest minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, allowing five earned runs on seven hits (two homers) while walking four and striking out two in five innings pitched. Bieber threw only 48 of his 80 pitches for strikes, but the good news is that he was sitting at 92 mph with his fastball in what is expected to be his final rehab start before he rejoins the Blue Jays' starting rotation for his 2026 season debut. The 31-year-old former American League Cy Young winner shouldn't be limited from a pitch-count perspective whenever his first start for the Jays comes, but he'll be a pretty risky fantasy streamer after his command was spotty on Wednesday. The former fourth-round pick in 2016 by the Cleveland Guardians out of the University of California, Santa Barbara, only made two starts in 2024 in his final season in Cleveland before needing Tommy John surgery. Bieber made only seven starts in his first year in Toronto last season, but he had a 4-2 record, 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings. He might need to shake off a little rust, and he's no longer a fantasy ace, but Bieber should have streaming appeal in mixed leagues based on matchups. He's rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues right now.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) resumed hitting on Tuesday, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Zwelling reports that Varsho will continue to ramp up over the next few days as the Blue Jays "evaluate his next steps." Varsho was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 10 due to wrist inflammation, but it appears he may have avoided a significant injury and could return close to when he is first eligible. Across 236 plate appearances in 2026 before the injury, Varsho hit .256/.331/.408 with five home runs, 17 RBI, 27 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 29-year-old has drastically cut down his swing-and-miss this season, reducing his strikeout rate from 28.4% in 2025 to 19.1%. However, he's also seen a significant drop-off in power, as his barrel rate has fallen from 15.9% to 6.0%. If Varsho can make a quick return from his current injury and rediscover some of his power, he could emerge as a strong contributor for fantasy managers in the second half of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) will make another rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo and is aiming to throw around 75 pitches, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. It may be Bieber's last rehab start before he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut with Toronto. This is your cue to run to the waiver wire and grab the 31-year-old if you could use some veteran rotation depth. Bieber is currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues, and while he is no longer the dominant arm that he was with the Cleveland Guardians earlier in his career, he proved last year with the Jays that he can be useful as a fantasy streamer in the right matchups. In his four rehab starts, the former American League Cy Young winner has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in 12 innings pitched in the Florida Complex League and at Single-A Dunedin and Buffalo.

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Andres Gimenez (wrist) is starting at shortstop and will bat eighth for Toronto on Tuesday on the road at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox and left-hander Payton Tolle, per MLB.com. Gimenez is back in action for Tuesday's series opener after he was scratched from Sunday's series finale against the New York Yankees with a wrist injury. The 27-year-old glove-first player obviously wasn't dealing with a very serious injury. With Gimenez returning, utility man Ernie Clement will move back over to second base on Tuesday. Gimenez has limited upside offensively with below-average power and speed, which is why he's rostered in only 13% of Yahoo leagues. He comes into Tuesday's tilt with a .222/.269/.351 slash line, .621 OPS, six home runs, 30 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 16 runs scored across his 68 games played in 2026. Gimenez has really struggled against southpaws, too, going 9-for-55 (.164) against them with just one of his six home runs against them this year.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is starting at first base and batting third for the Jays in Tuesday's game at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox and left-hander Payton Tolle, per MLB.com. Guerrero was held out of the final two games of the weekend series against the New York Yankees with back tightness, but the 27-year-old is back for Tuesday's series opener in Beantown. The five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner will return to a .280/.372/.366 slash line in his 68 games and 288 plate appearances this year, but he has frustrated his fantasy managers with his lack of power (just three home runs). There's still time for Vladdy to turn his season around in the power department, and the buy-low window is still firmly open for fantasy managers with the All-Star break quickly approaching in mid-July. Guerrero has faced Tolle just twice in his career and has one hit. Fantasy managers in traditional fantasy leagues will want to get him back in their starting lineups.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) felt better on Sunday, according to manager John Schneider, although he still sat out a second straight game due to back tightness, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Guerrero seems likely to return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox after another scheduled day off on Monday. The 27-year-old Canadian was gearing up to pinch hit in the ninth inning on Sunday against the New York Yankees, but he never appeared in the game. The five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner has only three home runs on the year through 68 games and has gone 7-for-38 (.184) with three doubles, three RBI, four runs scored, four walks, and five strikeouts in 10 games so far in June. Despite the recent cold stretch, Vladdy is hitting .280 (69-for-246) on the year with a .372 on-base percentage. Guerrero's buy-low window is firmly open right now, but it could close quickly once he returns from his back injury.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced that they scratched infielder Andres Gimenez (wrist) from the starting lineup on Sunday against the division-rival New York Yankees with left-wrist soreness. Ernie Clement will make the start at the 6 on Sunday for the Jays while batting seventh against Yankees right-hander Will Warren. Davis Schneider enters the starting nine and will man the keystone for Toronto. For now, we'll consider Gimenez to be day-to-day with his wrist injury. The 27-year-old Venezuelan infielder could be back for Tuesday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox after a scheduled day off on Monday if his injury isn't serious. Gimenez remains mostly a glove-first player as the Blue Jays' starting shortstop. He doesn't carry much fantasy appeal due to his lack of upside with the bat. Gimenez comes into Sunday's action with a weak .222/.269/.351 slash line, .620 OPS, six home runs, 30 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 16 runs scored in 243 plate appearances across his 68 games played. He has cleared 10 home runs twice in his six-year MLB career, and not since 2023.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) will miss a second straight game on Sunday in the series finale against the division-rival New York Yankees due to lower-back tightness, per MLB.com. Charles McAdoo is starting at first base as the team takes on right-hander Will Warren. Guerrero's injury isn't believed to be serious, so he should have a good shot to make his return for Tuesday's series opener versus the division-rival Boston Red Sox after another scheduled day off on Monday. Vlad's back issues could help explain why he has hit just .184 (7-for-38) with no homers, three doubles, three RBI, four runs scored, four walks, and five strikeouts in 10 games so far in June. The five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner is hitting a strong .280 (69-for-246) on the year, but the Canadian slugger has only three round-trippers in 68 games played in 2026. Guerrero currently sits in the 75th percentile in xwOBA and 64th percentile in hard-hit rate with an expected batting average of .298. Now is the time to buy low on him in fantasy leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is out of the lineup on Saturday due to back tightness. Manager John Schneider commented before the game that the five-time All-Star's back tightened up during Friday's contest and that his absence on Saturday is purely precautionary to avoid aggravating the issue. The good news is that he is feeling better, and the hope is that with minimal time off, he can return to full health. His status is considered day-to-day, with updates likely to provide more clarity ahead of Sunday's game. The usually durable and reliable first baseman has hit just three home runs this season and is enduring what would be considered a down year by his standards, despite posting a .280 batting average. Charles McAdoo will get the start at first base on Saturday and is batting eighth in the lineup.