Toronto Blue Jays News

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Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Shows Encouraging Signs in Rehab Start

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) wasn't perfect in his latest minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo, but he showed some encouraging signs. Scherzer allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in four innings to take the loss against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer generated 16 swings and misses on his 72 pitches and averaged 93.4 mph with his four-seam fastball. He is slowly building his arm back after landing on the 15-day injured list for the second time this season with back spasms, but he's likely going to need at least one more rehab start before he's an option once again for Toronto's starting rotation in the second half of the season. The three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star is well beyond his prime and doesn't have much left in the tank as he continues to deal with injuries. Scherzer has gone 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 14:11 K:BB in his six starts for the Jays this year. Fantasy managers are better off stashing higher-upside arms.

Yesterday

Dylan Cease • SP • Blue Jays

Dylan Cease Continues Excellent Season, Takes No-Hitter into the Ninth

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease nearly had the second no-hitter of his career in Wednesday night's 10-0 shutout victory over the hosting San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Cease was marvelous, allowing just one hit and no runs while walking three and striking out 11 to win his sixth game of the year and lower his ERA to 2.56. The 30-year-old took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, but outfielder Heliot Ramos led off the frame with a single to break it up. Cease threw 81 of his 118 pitches for strikes and recorded his sixth game of the 2026 season with double-digit strikeouts. In addition to his strong 2.56 ERA, Cease also has a 1.13 WHIP and American League-leading 148 strikeouts in 98 1/3 innings in his first year in Toronto. The former sixth-rounder of the Chicago Cubs in 2014 now has back-to-back shutouts going into the All-Star break after tossing seven shutout frames with a walk and nine strikeouts his last time out against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Cease is certainly in play to start the All-Star Game next week for the AL.

Yesterday

Sean Keys • 3B • Blue Jays

Sean Keys' Elite Power Metrics Make Him a Buy-Low Stash

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Sean Keys has struggled to find consistent production in limited opportunities during his first MLB season, but his underlying power metrics suggest significant upside. The 24-year-old is slashing .207/.207/.345 with a .552 OPS across eight games while carrying a 37.9 K%. Despite the early struggles, Keys has displayed elite contact quality with a 93.1 mph average exit velocity and a 61.1 Hard-Hit% that both rank among the best in the league. His ability to consistently drive the ball with authority gives him a strong foundation for future success. If Keys can improve his contact rate against major league pitching, he could develop into a valuable power option. Fantasy managers should view him as a buy-low stash with long-term upside.

2 days ago

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Carries Five-Category Upside on the Waiver Wire

Across 287 plate appearances so far this season, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is hitting .246/.314/.404 with seven home runs, 23 RBI, 32 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Varsho has dealt with nagging injury issues in recent seasons, so health risk is a part of his profile. However, the 30-year-old has largely stayed on the field in 2026, outside of a short stint on the injured list due to a wrist ailment. Varsho has sacrificed power for increased contact ability this year, as his barrel rate has dropped from 15.9% to 6.5% and his strikeout rate has fallen from 28.4% to 20.9%. While that tradeoff is not ideal for fantasy managers, Varsho carries latent power upside. If he can find the right balance of contact and power in the second half of the season, he could provide five-category production for fantasy managers.

3 days ago

Kevin Gausman • SP • Blue Jays

Kevin Gausman Sees Struggles Continue on Monday, Time to Drop in All Leagues?

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman did not have a strong return to San Francisco on Monday night, allowing seven runs (four earned) on five hits and five walks through 5 1/3 innings. Gausman did still have eight strikeouts, but he has lost four straight starts to fall to 4-8 on the year. Over his last seven starts, he is 0-5 with a 6.41 ERA and 5.36 FIP. His strikeout numbers are still solid, so there is some hope he turns it around later in the year. If you're in a deep league and can hold him on your bench, there is still potential upside, but for now, it's time to move on from Gausman in all standard-sized mixed leagues. The waiver wire has much better short-term and long-term options in most formats.

3 days ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer to Make a Rehab Start at Triple-A on Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) will make another minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. In his first rehab start for High-A Vancouver last Friday, Scherzer threw 49 pitches and allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking two and striking out three in three innings of work. The future Hall of Famer could need one more rehab game in the minors after Wednesday's start, meaning he will not be an option for the Jays' starting rotation before next week's All-Star break. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star is on the injured list again this year due to back spasms after already missing extensive time with a forearm injury and other ailments. Scherzer continues to struggle to stay healthy, and he's no longer his dominant self when healthy, going 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA and 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks in 22 innings in his six starts so far in 2026 for the Blue Jays. Fantasy managers have plenty of better upside arms to choose from off the waiver wire in deeper leagues.

4 days ago

George Springer • DH • Blue Jays

George Springer Reinstated but Not Starting on Monday

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Monday that they reinstated designated hitter/outfielder George Springer from the family medical emergency list and placed right-hander Braydon Fisher on the bereavement list in a corresponding move. Springer is active for Monday's series opener in San Francisco against the Giants, but he is not in the starting lineup. Sean Keys is serving as the DH and is batting fifth against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. Fantasy managers should expect Spring to be back in Toronto's starting lineup for Game 2 of the series at Oracle Park on Tuesday. The 36-year-old four-time All-Star has mostly struggled in 2026 after a resurgent season last year that saw him hit .309/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS, 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games before helping the Jays reach the World Series. He comes into Monday's game hitting just .221 (54-for-244) in 2026 with eight homers, 21 RBI, and six steals in 63 games. Fantasy managers will be hoping that Springer can pick up where he left off before leaving the team for personal reasons. Springer went 16-for-57 (.281) with two homers, a double, a triple, five RBI, eight runs, and three steals in his last 14 games, dating back to June 14.

4 days ago

Alejandro Kirk • C • Blue Jays

Alejandro Kirk a Priority Waiver-Wire Target for Catching Depth?

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has played only 21 games this year due to a broken thumb sustained near the start of the 2026 season. In his 81 plate appearances, he has hit just .189 (14-for-74) with two homers, seven RBI, seven runs scored, six walks, and 12 strikeouts. And since returning from the injured list on June 12, he has gone 11-for-54 (.204) with a home run, a double, five RBI, five runs scored, four walks, and 10 strikeouts. The 27-year-old two-time All-Star is Toronto's primary backstop when he's healthy, which makes him attractive in two-catcher leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton. In his seven-year career, Kirk hasn't exceeded 15 home runs (last year) or 76 RBI (last year) while slashing .265/.341/.395 with a .735 OPS. Because of all the time he missed in the first half of the season, it might be an uphill battle for Kirk to reach double-digit home runs in 2026 for what would be only the third time in his seven-year career. Kirk can be avoided in single-catcher leagues, and he's rostered in only 24% of Yahoo leagues.

4 days ago

Shane Bieber • SP • Blue Jays

Shane Bieber Struggling of Late, Still Worth a Roster Spot?

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber got hammered on Saturday against the Mariners, allowing six hits, seven earned runs, three walks, and only three strikeouts in four innings pitched. Through three starts now since returning from injury, he has a 9.00 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, and a 9:7 K:BB ratio in 13 innings pitched. To put it nicely, nothing has worked for him, and nothing looks great, with his fastball velocity down (92.0 mph), but most importantly, his control has been awful (10.9 percent), which has also led to a ton of hard contact (54.2 percent hard-hit rate). Even when Bieber was at his best, it wasn't his velocity that got him through; it was his control and off-speed that made him good. Bieber has a 3.32 career ERA and 1.12 WHIP; however, he is now 31 years old, and nothing under the hood or on the surface suggests he is anything more than a streamer at this point. His next time out will be on Friday against the San Diego Padres, where he will try to right the ship on the season before the All-Star Break. Fantasy managers who are desperate for pitching in points leagues or 15-team leagues can hold on, but Bieber is unstartable at this time.

4 days ago

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. • 1B • Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Rest Back During All-Star Break

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) said he intends to sit out during the upcoming All-Star Game. Guerrero mentioned that he wants to rest his lingering back problem during the break. He mentioned that he's grateful for the fans voting him in, but he wants to focus on getting healthy for the second half of the season. The assumption is that Nick Kurtz will take over the starting spot with Guerrero opting out. Over the last month, Guerrero is 9-for-91 with one home run and 11 RBI. Hopefully, Guerrero will be back to the superstar slugger that we're used to seeing after the break.

6 days ago

George Springer • DH • Blue Jays

George Springer Being Placed on Family Medical Emergency List

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer's paternity leave is up on Saturday, but he's now being placed on the family medical emergency list, which is purely transactional, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Springer is "tying up some loose ends," according to manager John Schneider. He will miss the rest of the weekend series in Seattle against the Mariners and will likely rejoin the club for the series opener on Monday versus the San Francisco Giants. The 36-year-old four-time All-Star needs a little more personal time after welcoming a new addition to the family this week. It might actually be good for Springer to get some time away. After a resurgence in 2025 that saw him hit 32 home runs, drive in 84, and steal 18 bases in 140 regular-season games before leading the Jays to the World Series, he has struggled in 2026, slashing .221/.308/.373 with a .681 OPS, eight homers, 21 RBI, and six steals in 63 games played.

6 days ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Goes Three Innings in First Rehab Start

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) began his road back from yet another injury with a minor-league rehab start on Friday for High-A Vancouver. Scherzer was able to get up to three innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking two and striking out three. It was the future Hall of Famer's first game since June 10, and he reportedly felt good after throwing 33 of his 49 pitches for strikes. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner is recovering from back spasms, but he also missed extended time this year due to forearm tendinitis and other nagging issues. The Blue Jays aren't going to rush him back, and Scherzer is expected to need at least two more rehab starts before Toronto considers reinstating him from the 15-day injured list. The once-dominant right-hander continues to battle injuries near the end of his fantastic career and has only made six starts in 2026, going 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in 22 innings. Scherzer is only rostered in 3% of Yahoo leagues. Fantasy managers should continue to ignore him.

6 days ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer to Make a Rehab Start on Friday

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) said he's traveling with the team out west and will make a minor-league rehab start on Friday with High-A Vancouver, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Scherzer will rejoin the team in Seattle on Saturday, throw a side session on Sunday, and determine his next steps from there. The Blue Jays have already said that the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer will require multiple rehab starts, so Scherzer won't be an option to rejoin Toronto's starting rotation next week, and he most likely won't be a realistic option to come off the 15-day injured list until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The three-time Cy Young winner has once again had an injury-plagued season with the Jays. He's been out since mid-June due to back spasms on the left side of his back, and before that, he had a lengthy stay on the IL with forearm tendinitis. Scherzer has only been able to make six starts in 2026 and has gone 1-4 with a rough 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 14 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 22 innings. Fantasy managers should continue to ignore the fading star.

Jul 1

George Springer • DH • Blue Jays

George Springer Lands on Paternity List

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder/designated hitter George Springer on the paternity list and recalled outfielder Jonatan Clase from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. With Springer now away from the team for the birth of his child, Sean Keys will serve as the DH for Wednesday's series finale against the New York Mets and right-hander Freddy Peralta at the Rogers Centre. Springer will be away from the team for up to three days, so he could miss most of the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners that starts on Friday, July 3. The 36-year-old veteran and four-time All-Star hasn't been able to replicate his resurgent 2025 campaign, when he hit .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games. Through 63 contests and 279 plate appearances in 2026, the 13-year veteran is slashing just .221/.308/.373 with a .681 OPS, eight home runs, 21 RBI, 29 runs, and six steals. Fantasy managers should not be expecting him to return to his 2025 form in the second half.

Jul 1

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. • 1B • Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Returns From Back Injury on Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is starting at first base and is batting in the two-hole for Wednesday's series finale against the visiting New York Mets and right-hander Freddy Peralta, per MLB.com. Guerrero was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup due to back tightness, but he's back in there a day later. The 27-year-old five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger has been among the biggest fantasy disappointments in 2026, as he comes into Wednesday's game with a .268/.347/.348 slash line, .695 OPS, only four home runs, 34 RBI, 45 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his first 299 at-bats. The buy-low window for fantasy managers is still wide open for Vladdy, who should rebound in the second half based on his .294 expected batting average, .415 expected slugging percentage, and .347xwOBA. Guerrero ranks in the 65th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 35th percentile in hard-hit rate, and the 65th percentile in walk rate. He'll be searching for his first hit against Peralta, whom he has gone hitless against in six career at-bats.

Jul 1

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Expected to Need a Rehab Assignment

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the injection that veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back, side) received "did what it should" to free up the left side of his back more, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. "He's encouraged with how he feels physically," Schneider said. The three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer will most likely need a couple of minor-league rehab starts at Triple-A Buffalo to build back up before he returns to the major-league roster, per Schneider. The news means that the 41-year-old will not return to the Jays before the All-Star break in mid-July, although he could be ready to roll for the start of the second half, barring a setback on his rehab assignment. The eight-time All-Star just hasn't been able to stay healthy in the last couple of seasons as he nears the end of a fantastic career, and fantasy managers should have plenty of better upside starting pitching options to choose from. In his six starts in 2026 with Toronto, Scherzer has limped to a 1-4 record, 10.23 ERA (8.78 FIP), 1.73 WHIP, and 14:11 K:BB in 22 innings.

Jul 1

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. • 1B • Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Scratched on Tuesday With Back Tightness

The Toronto Blue Jays announced that first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) has been scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the visiting New York Mets due to back tightness. Sean Keys will make the start at first base for Toronto and will bat cleanup against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean. It's a bit concerning for Guerrero's fantasy managers after he left last Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs early with a back injury. The 27-year-old Canadian returned the very next day, but his back issue has cropped up again, which means he's likely to sit out at least a few days this time around. Perhaps the five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner hasn't been fully healthy for much of the first half of the season, which would help explain his .268/.347/.348 slash line with a .695 OPS, only four home runs, 34 RBI, 45 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 299 at-bats. For now, we'll consider Vladdy day-to-day, but this could quickly turn into an injured-list situation if he is unable to return to the Jays' lineup by this weekend.

Jun 30

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho a Must-Add Outfielder Ahead of Potential Second-Half Breakout

Across 267 plate appearances in 2026, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is hitting .258/.330/.425 with seven home runs, 22 RBI, 31 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. The oft-injured Varsho hit the 10-day injured list earlier this month with a wrist issue, but he returned as soon as eligible and has largely stayed healthy otherwise this season. Varsho's power is down in 2026, as he's logged a 7% barrel rate after posting a 15.9% barrel rate in 2025. However, he's cut his strikeout rate to a career-best 21%, which has helped raise his batting average floor. Varsho is also slugging .472 in June and has three stolen bases this month despite the missed time. If his power/speed profile fully returns in the second half of the season, Varsho could be a highly valuable five-category contributor for fantasy managers. In leagues where he remains available, Varsho should be a priority waiver wire target.

Jun 30

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Returns to Playing Catch, Could Throw Off a Mound on Tuesday

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that starting pitcher Max Scherzer (back) played catch on Monday and could throw off a mound on Tuesday, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Scherzer was placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-June due to back spasms. Before the back injury, the veteran right-hander missed roughly six weeks with forearm and ankle issues. Scherzer has struggled mightily even when healthy this season, recording a 1-4 record with a 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts across 22 innings (six starts). Scherzer's myriad injury issues may help explain some of his difficulties on the mound. Still, the 41-year-old's days as a reliable starting pitcher option for fantasy managers may be behind him. It's unclear whether Scherzer will require a rehab start before returning to the mound for Toronto, but he will likely remain sidelined through the All-Star break either way.

Jun 29

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Suffers Setback, Will Be Shut Down for Multiple Weeks

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that outfielder/third baseman Addison Barger (elbow, back) suffered a stress reaction in his back and will be shut down for a couple of weeks, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Barger was working his way back from an elbow injury that has sidelined him since early May, but it appears he will remain on the shelf through the All-Star break at the least. It's been a nightmarish season so far for Barger, who also missed time earlier in the year with an ankle issue and has logged just 28 MLB plate appearances in 2026. The 26-year-old emerged as a quality big-side platoon bat in 2025, hitting .243 with 21 home runs across 502 plate appearances. Without him, Toronto will likely continue to rely on Nathan Lukes and Yohendrick Pinango as their primary corner outfielders.

Jun 29

Toronto Blue Jays News

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