Toronto Blue Jays News

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Dylan Cease • SP • Blue Jays

Dylan Cease Continues Strong Start With 12-Strikeout Performance

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease continued his strong start to the 2026 season in his first year with the team in his outing on Monday in Anaheim in a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels, allowing two earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out 12 in five innings to pick up his first win of the year. Cease induced 18 swings and misses among his 110 pitches on the night. He's pitched much better than his 1-0 record indicates through his first five starts with Toronto, as he's posted a career-best 2.10 ERA (1.46 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with a league-high 44 strikeouts and 14 walks in 25 2/3 frames. Cease currently sits in the 82nd percentile in xwOBA and in the 98th percentile in strikeout rate (39.6%). His 1.46 FIP shows he's not just getting lucky early in 2026, though fantasy managers would like to see his 12.6% walk rate come down a bit. It's the first time his walk rate has been in double digits since the 2023 season, his last with the Chicago White Sox.

9 hours ago

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman Bounces Back to Earn Third Save, Strikes Out the Side

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman gave up multiple runs in each of his last two appearances, but he was much more effective on Monday, closing out the Angels in a 5-2 win. Hoffman gave up a leadoff single to Jo Adell, but then fanned Josh Lowe, Logan O'Hoppe, and Adam Frazier in succession to end the game. Hoffman has allowed 10 runs (eight earned) in his 11 games this season and has a 6.97 ERA and 1.94 WHIP, despite a 2.94 FIP. He has three saves and three blown saves after Monday's performance, but since the Blue Jays are sticking with him at closer, he remains a strong fantasy option, especially if he is able to build on Monday's successful outing.

11 hours ago

George Springer • RF • Blue Jays

George Springer Ramping Up his Baseball Activities

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (toe) did some more throwing on Monday and was also scheduled to hit, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Manager John Schneider said that Springer will do some "dynamic warmup and mobility stuff." Springer began hitting off a tee last Wednesday, which is pretty quick progress after he was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 12 with a fractured left big toe. The Blue Jays aren't planning on sending Springer on a minor-league rehab start, which means he's a candidate to return from the IL for the start of the team's homestand on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. The 36-year-old four-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner had a resurgent season in 2025 for the Jays and helped them make a run to the World Series, but he was hitting just .185 (10-for-54) with two home runs, six RBI, four runs scored, and a stolen base in a small sample size of 14 games played before fracturing his toe. Springer is still useful in fantasy when he's healthy as an everyday player for Toronto, with most of his playing time coming as the DH.

23 hours ago

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman Seeing Fantasy Value Fall Amid Rough Stretch

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman has struggled mightily thus far during the 2026 season, pitching to the tune of a 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP through 9 1/3 innings pitched. Additionally, he has blown three of his five save opportunities so far this season. Blue Jays' manager, John Schneider, stated on Saturday after Hoffman blew the save in Arizona against the Diamondbacks that he (Hoffman) will continue to remain the team's closer following the game, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The man behind Hoffman, Louis Varland, has been fantastic so far in the 2026 season, with a 0.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 11 innings pitched. Hoffman appears to have the manager's trust for now, but needs to start converting on his save opportunities if he wants to keep his job as the closer. Hoffman is coming off a career-high 33 saves in 2025.

Yesterday

Louis Varland • RP • Blue Jays

Louis Varland Emerging as Elite Closer Handcuff in Toronto?

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Louis Varland has been fantastic so far in the 2026 season, with a 0.00 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and 1.00 WHIP in 11 innings pitched. The Minnesota native, Varland, is currently being deployed as the team's high-leverage setup reliever, and with Jeff Hoffman already blowing three saves in five opportunities, Varland may be emerging as a top handcuff option if Hoffman continues to struggle. Blue Jays' manager, John Schneider, stated on Saturday after Hoffman blew the save in Arizona against the Diamondbacks that he (Hoffman) will continue to remain the team's closer following the game, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. In addition to the three blown save opportunities, Hoffman also owns a poor 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP through 9 1/3 innings pitched. While Varland doesn't have a history of closing out games, evidenced by his zero saves in his career, he is right up there with Hoffman in terms of having the best stuff in the Blue Jays' bullpen, and in leagues where saves are hard to come by, Varland is someone to keep an eye on.

Yesterday

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Remains Out on Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (knee) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to MLB.com. Myles Straw will make the start in center field for Toronto and will bat eighth against D-backs right-hander Ryne Nelson. Varsho will miss a second straight game after being pulled from Friday's series opener early at Chase Field due to left-knee discomfort. He's considered day-to-day for now, but fantasy managers will want to check back on Monday for an update on his status before the team's series opener on Monday night in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. Varsho played only 71 games in the 2025 regular season due to injuries. In 19 games so far in 2026, he has slashed .262/.333/.462 with three home runs, seven RBI, and eight runs scored. Straw, who is more of a defensive asset for the Jays than an offensive one, should see most of the playing time in center for however long Varsho is out.

2 days ago

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman Takes Second Loss, Still has Manager's Confidence?

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman saw his struggles continue during Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hoffman came into a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning, but things quickly got away from him. Hoffman took the loss after serving up a grand slam to Corbin Carroll. His final line was three hits allowed, four earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts over an inning of work. Hoffman now sees his ERA rise to 7.71 ERA after an horrendous outing. Despite the struggles, Jays manager John Schneider stated that Hoffman will remain the closer. This will be a situation to monitor if Hoffman continues to struggle going forward.

2 days ago

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho is Absent on Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (knee) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This doesn't come as a surprise after Varsho was forced to make an early exit from Friday's contest due to left knee discomfort. The Jays are considering Varsho as day-to-day and will give him a rest day on Saturday. His absence means that Myles Straw draws the start in center field and will bat eighth versus right-hander Zac Gallen. Straw doesn't offer enough upside with the bat to warrant looking at in fantasy leagues.

3 days ago

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. • 1B • Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Should Start on Saturday Despite Finger Issue

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (finger) was checked out by the team's medical staff in the eighth inning in Friday night's loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks after clipping his left index finger on an opponent's jersey, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Guerrero ultimately stayed in the game, though, and manager John Schneider said he should be fine to play on Saturday in the desert in Game 2 of the series against the D-backs. The 27-year-old five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner went 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI in Friday night's 6-3 loss, and he's hitting a strong .319/.427/.420 with a homer, eight RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in his first 82 plate appearances of the 2026 season. Fantasy managers will want to check back later to see if Vladdy is in the starting lineup in Phoenix for a matchup with right-hander Zac Gallen.

3 days ago

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage to Make Another Rehab Start on Tuesday

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage (shoulder) will make another minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The Blue Jays want Yesavage to be a bit more built up and be 100% sure that he's here to stay in the majors when he makes his 2026 season debut. The Blue Jays were handling Yesavage with kid gloves back in spring training before putting him on the 15-day injured list with a right-shoulder impingement before Opening Day. Veteran lefty Patrick Corbin has looked good so far while filling in for the team's beat-up starting rotation, which may have bought the team a bit more time before bringing Yesavage back. He's allowed eight earned runs with three walks and 14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings pitched in his three rehab appearances, and he's on the cusp of rejoining the major-league rotation. Workload restrictions will likely be in place, but Yesavage's high-end upside as a starting pitching prospect makes him stash-worthy everywhere.

3 days ago

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Removed Early on Friday With Knee Discomfort

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (knee) was removed from the team's game early on Friday night in Arizona against the Diamondbacks with left-knee discomfort, the team announced. Varsho struck out in his only plate appearance before being replaced in center field by Myles Straw. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder came into Friday's game hitting .266 (17-for-64) with three home runs, seven RBI, eight runs scored, and a stolen base in 18 games played to begin the 2026 season. For now, fantasy managers should consider Varsho to be day-to-day while checking back on his status on Saturday. Most likely, he will not be available to play in the second game of the series at Chase Field against his former team, and if tests on his knee come back with discouraging news, he could land on the 10-day injured list. If Varsho is forced to miss some time with his knee injury, the light-hitting Straw would benefit the most in Toronto in center field. UPDATE: Varsho is deemed day-to-day.

3 days ago

Braydon Fisher • RP • Blue Jays

Braydon Fisher to Serve as Opener for Toronto on Friday

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Braydon Fisher will serve as the opener for the team in Friday's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Left-hander Eric Lauer, not Fisher, is who fantasy managers will want to consider starting in this matchup at Chase Field in Arizona. Fisher, however, has been lights-out so far for Toronto in eight relief appearances, as he's sporting a 0.93 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in 9 2/3 innings of work. The most pitches Fisher has thrown in an outing in 2026 is 32, so he's unlikely to work more than an inning or two on Friday in the desert. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will probably want to avoid Lauer, too, as he's gone 1-2 so far this year with an ugly 7.82 ERA (6.48 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 12 K's and nine walks in 12 2/3 innings over his first three starts. The Diamondbacks currently rank 20th in team OPS in the early going at .687.

4 days ago

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage Could Return to Jays Next Week

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) could return from the 15-day injured list next week after throwing 4 1/3 innings during a minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Yesavage got up to 71 pitches this week in his third rehab start while he continues to recover from a right-shoulder impingement. Although his fastball velocity was slightly down at 93.3 mph on Wednesday and his fastball command was spotty, at times, manager John Schneider said it was everything the team expected out of Yesavage. He could throw 85 to 90 pitches in his next rehab start, which would put him on track to rejoin the big-league club in Anaheim next week. However, with veteran lefty Patrick Corbin pitching well, Toronto could delay Yesavage's return for another week. Yesavage will return to a rotation role, but don't be surprised if the Jays ease the young pitching prospect back into the fold. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats for his high-end strikeout upside.

4 days ago

José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios Hit Hard in First Rehab Game

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow), who is attempting to pitch through a minor stress fracture in his right elbow, was hit hard in his first minor-league rehab start on Thursday at Single-A Dunedin. Berrios allowed five runs on five hits while walking one and striking out three in 2 2/3 innings. He's a bit more stretched out than other pitchers when they make their first rehab start, and he was able to get up to 47 total pitches in the outing. The results weren't pretty, but Berrios averaged 94.2 mph with his fastball, which was up 1.2 mph from last year. His injury sounds serious, but he's been cleared by doctors to pitch through it, and he hasn't reported any symptoms. Right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) will likely return from the 15-day injured list (possibly next week) before Berrios does. Berrios could return to the big leagues in the coming weeks, depending on whether he needs one, two, or three rehab appearances. When he does return, the 31-year-old Puerto Rican veteran could become a long man out of the bullpen, at least initially.

4 days ago

Addison Barger • 3B • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Expected to Resume Swinging This Weekend

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (ankles) has resumed baseball activities at the team's spring training complex in Florida, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Barger played catch over the last two days and is expected to resume swinging on Friday or Saturday. The goal is for Barger to resume running by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. The 26-year-old was a hero during the team's World Series run last fall, but he got off to a rough start in 2026 before landing on the 10-day injured list with sprained ankles. In a small sample size of just eight games, Barger went 1-for-19 (.053) at the plate with a double, two RBI, a run scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in 23 plate appearances. Barger will not come off the IL when he's eligible on Friday, but depending on how his rehab goes, he could be an option to rejoin the big-league roster for the start of their next homestand on Friday, April 24.

5 days ago

George Springer • RF • Blue Jays

George Springer Could Return for Next Homestand

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (toe) is hitting off a tee and doing flips in the batting cage, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. "Looked pretty normal, which is good. He's feeling better," manager John Schneider said. Springer still needs to run to test out his fractured toe, but the Blue Jays are targeting a return for Springer when they get back to Toronto for a homestand that begins on Friday, April 24, against the Cleveland Guardians. As of right now, the 36-year-old veteran isn't expected to require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list. Springer, who had a late-career resurgence in 2025 while helping Toronto get to the World Series, was off to a rough start in his first 54 at-bats this year before injuring his toe. The four-time All-Star will be returning to a weak .185/.290/.370 slash line later this month. Springer has two home runs, six RBI, one steal, four runs scored, eight walks, and 14 strikeouts in his 14 games played.

5 days ago

Lenyn Sosa • 2B • Blue Jays

Lenyn Sosa Back at Second Base on Thursday for Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Lenyn Sosa will make the start at second base again on Thursday for the second straight day in the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Sproat at American Family Field, according to MLB.com. Sosa, who was recently acquired in a trade from the Chicago White Sox, made his first start with the team on Wednesday and went 1-for-3 at the plate in the team's 2-1 loss to the Brew Crew. He will hit fifth in the batting order on Thursday. Sosa will get a shot to be the team's primary second baseman against right-handed pitchers. So far in 14 games in 2026, he has gone 9-for-37 (.243) at the plate with no homers, three RBI, and three runs scored in 37 plate appearances. Sosa is a career .246/.273/.387 hitter with a .661 OPS, 37 home runs, 128 RBI, and five stolen bases in 317 games played.

5 days ago

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage Goes 4 1/3 Innings in Latest Rehab Start on Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) tossed 4 1/3 innings on Wednesday in his latest minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo. Yesavage allowed three earned runs on seven hits (two home runs) while walking one and striking out five batters. The 22-year-old allowed five earned runs with two walks and nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings in his first two rehab appearances at Single-A Dunedin. He was hit around a bit in his start on Wednesday, and his velocity was down a bit, but the positive is that he appears to be fully healthy. Yesavage got up to 71 pitches at Buffalo, and it could end up being his final rehab start before the Blue Jays activate him from the 15-day injured list. A right-shoulder impingement put Yesavage on the IL to begin the 2026 season. Yesavage has high-end starting-pitching upside for fantasy managers in dynasty leagues, but he should be rostered everywhere. Those in redraft formats will need to be patient, as the Jays figure to limit his workload in his first full big-league campaign.

6 days ago

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman Blows Third Save of the Season, Falling out of Ninth-Inning Job?

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman struggled again Tuesday, blowing his third save of the season in a 9-7 extra-innings win against the Brewers. Hoffman entered the ninth inning with a 6-4 lead but allowed two runs on two hits, forcing extra innings. The 33-year-old is now two for five in save chances, a large concern for a contender. He owns a 1.80 WHIP and 4.32 ERA across nine appearances. Hoffman has not found consistency since arriving from Philadelphia, and his grip on the closer role is weakening. Toronto could begin to consider alternative options if these struggles continue.

6 days ago

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Collecting Extra-Base Hits During Four-Game Hit Streak

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho has begun to pick it up at the plate, collecting at least one hit in eight of the last 10 games he's started, and is currently riding a four-game hit streak during which time he's belted four extra-base hits, including two doubles and two home runs. The recent hot stretch has raised the left-handed hitter's season-long slash line to .250/.328/.442 with a .340 wOBA and 119 wRC+. The 29-year-old's low 12.1 percent strikeout rate is by far the best of his career, and an above-average 10.3 percent walk rate that is the best since his rookie season of 2020 shows a maturing approach. The 5-foot-8 slugger's .295 xBA even suggests he's been hitting better than what the results show. He's still available in over 60 percent of leagues for managers hoping he can go on a run similar to last season, when almost 60 percent of his hits went for extra bases.

Apr 13

Toronto Blue Jays News

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