Toronto Blue Jays News

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Yariel Rodríguez • SP • Blue Jays

Yariel Rodriguez's Role Uncertain Heading Into Offseason

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins didn't exactly to commit to a firm role for Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez heading into the offseason. Atkins called Rodriguez a "solid option" for the Blue Jays in the starting rotation and is happy with where his workload is at as a starter. However, Atkins also said, "If we were to acquire one, I think he would be an exceptional reliever." It sounds as though the Blue Jays will continue to be flexible with the 27-year-old's role heading into next year. Toronto was careful with Rodriguez's workload in 2024 in his first year in the big leagues after not pitching in affiliated ball at all in 2023. All 21 of Rodriguez's appearances in his rookie year for the Blue Jays came in a starting role, and he finished with a 4.47 ERA (4.34 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP and an 85:40 K:BB in 86 2/3 total innings. Rodriguez will be much more attractive in fantasy leagues in 2025 if he's starting again.

Oct 2

Leo Jiménez • SS • Blue Jays |

Jonatan Clase • LF • Blue Jays

Jonatan Clase, Leo Jimenez Resting On Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jonatan Clase and infielder Leo Jimenez will both start on the bench on Saturday against the visiting Miami Marlins at Rogers Centre. Fellow rookie Joey Loperfido will make the start in center field and will bat ninth, while Ernie Clement starts at the 6 and bats sixth against Marlins right-hander Xzavion Curry. Clase came to the Blue Jays via trade at the deadline at the end of July from the Mariners and has looked good in the early going in his six games with the team, going 6-for-16 (.375) with a homer, double and to RBI. However, the 22-year-old will take a seat after going hitless in four at-bats on Friday with two strikeouts. Jimenez has been forced into plenty of playing time in 2024 in his rookie campaign due to Bo Bichette's injuries and has slashed .229/.329/.358 with only four home runs and 19 RBI in 63 games played. Clement will be a low-upside DFS sleeper for Saturday's action.

Sep 28

Chris Bassitt • SP • Blue Jays

Chris Bassitt Won't Pitch In Season Finale

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt will no longer take the hill for the regular-season finale this Sunday at Rogers Centre versus the visiting Miami Marlins, according to manager John Schneider. The Blue Jays are now listing Sunday as a "TBA" day. Toronto hasn't named a replacement for Bassitt or given a reason for why the 35-year-old veteran won't take the ball to close out the season. Bassitt won a league-high 16 games for Toronto in his first year with the club in 2023 but wasn't nearly as successful this year, going 10-14 with a 4.16 ERA (4.08 FIP), a 1.46 WHIP and a 168:70 K:BB in 171 innings over his 31 starts. His ERA was his highest since 2016, when he pitched for the Oakland Athletics, and he also led the league with 16 hit-by-pitches. It's possible that he's dealing with a minor injury and the Blue Jays didn't want to risk anything.

Sep 27

Joey Loperfido • LF • Blue Jays

Joey Loperfido Getting A Day Off

Toronto Blue Jays rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener at the Rogers Centre against the visiting Miami Marlins. With Loperfido starting on the bench, fellow outfield prospect Jonatan Clase is starting in center field and is batting eighth against Marlins right-hander Adam Oller. Loperfido, 25, has appeared at both center field and left field for Toronto and has mostly struggled offensively since being acquired from the Houston Astros at the trade deadline in the deal that sent lefty Yusei Kikuchi to Houston. Loperfido has gone 27-for-130 (.208) with two homers, eight RBI, two steals and 48 strikeouts in his 41 games in Toronto. Clase, who was also acquired via trade with the Mariners this year, will be playing in just his sixth game with the Jays. So far, he's gone 6-for-12 with a homer, double and two RBI in 14 plate appearances.

Sep 27

Spencer Horwitz • 2B • Blue Jays

Spencer Horwitz Heads To The Bench

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Spencer Horwitz will head to the bench ahead of Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. The left-handed slugger will get a much-needed day off after starting in 11 straight games. The 26-year-old holds a .268 batting average with 12 home runs and 38 RBI across 94 games this season. Alejandro Kirk will slide over from catcher and serve as the designated hitter against right-hander Richard Fitts on Wednesday. Kirk has seen his power numbers take a dip this season, but he has knocked in 51 runs across 100 games in 2024.

Sep 25

Bo Bichette • SS • Blue Jays

Bo Bichette To Have Surgery On His Finger

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (finger) will have surgery on Wednesday to put a pin in his injured right middle finger. Bichette's fracture was a bit "displaced," according to manager John Schneider, so this surgery is expected to help the bone set. The 26-year-old will now begin his recovery this offseason as he looks to bounce back from what was an extremely disappointing showing in 2024. Bichette was forced to the injured list two separate times with calf injuries and then fractured his finger upon returning late in the year. The two-time All-Star was limited to only 81 games this year and finished with a disappointing .225/.277/.322 slash line with a career-worst .598 OPS, four home runs, 31 RBI and five stolen bases in his 336 plate appearances. Bichette's finger should be completely healed by the start of spring training in 2025.

Sep 25

Orelvis Martinez • SS • Blue Jays

Orelvis Martinez Sent To Minors After Serving Suspension

The Toronto Blue Jays optioned infield prospect Orelvis Martinez to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday after he finished serving his 80-game suspension. Martinez will now return to the team's spring training complex to close out the year after being suspended for 80 games due to performance-enhancing substances. The team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, made his big-league debut this year but played in just one game. In 74 games at Triple-A Buffalo, he hit .267/.346/.523 with an .869 OPS, 17 home runs, 49 RBI and 54 runs scored in 319 plate appearances. The 22-year-old Dominican will likely stick at either second or third base at the next level and has great power despite his shorter stature. Martinez has already shown impressive improvement in the plate-discipline department and seems likely to have a regular role in the big leagues in 2025 for a team looking for more offense.

Sep 24

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. • 1B • Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Goes Deep Twice, Tallies Three Hits

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 3-for-4 with two home runs, two RBI, and a stolen base in Thursday's victory over the Texas Rangers. The infielder launched two solo shots in the seventh and ninth innings. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an excellent bounce-back campaign after falling short over the past two seasons following his remarkable 2021 MVP campaign. This summer, Guerrero has held a stellar .322/.397/.553 slash line with 30 long balls and two swiped bags. His underlying metrics were remarkable, with a 55.6% hard-hit rate and 94.0 mph average exit velocity, suggesting he may have continued his development this summer. Guerrero should be one of the first corner infielders taken in drafts next spring due to his elite batting average and high-upside power production.

Sep 20

Kevin Gausman • SP • Blue Jays

Kevin Gausman Expects To Make His Next Start

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (back) said his back tightened up on his last warm-up pitch before being pulled early in Thursday's start against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, but as of now, he isn't overly concerned and expects to make his final regular-season start next Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. Regardless, the 33-year-old veteran will be a bit more risky for fantasy managers that are still playing for a championship next week against Boston. Before being pulled on Thursday, Gausman tossed five scoreless innings with one walk and six strikeouts to pick up his 13th victory of the season in the team's 4-0 win over Texas. He now has a 3.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP on the season heading into the final week of the regular season. In two starts against Boston in 2024, Gausman has allowed nine runs (seven earned) while walking four and striking out nine in 11 2/3 innings pitched.

Sep 19

Kevin Gausman • SP • Blue Jays

Kevin Gausman Injured On Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (back) was removed from Thursday's game early against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field due to lower-back tightness. Before leaving, Gausman at least had a nice day on the mound, throwing five scoreless innings while walking one and striking out six to leave in line for the win. It's unclear how serious the 33-year-old's injury is, but with the season winding down and the Blue Jays not having anything to play for, they will not be rushing Gausman back to the starting rotation. If his injury isn't serious, he's scheduled to toe the rubber again next Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. After coming in third in the American League Cy Young voting in 2023, Gausman has taken a step back in 2024, entering Thursday's start with a 4.02 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 153 strikeouts and 52 walks in 170 innings over 29 starts.

Sep 19

Jonatan Clase • LF • Blue Jays

Blue Jays Call Up Jonatan Clase

The Toronto Blue Jays called up outfield prospect Jonatan Clase, who they acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners in the Yimi Garcia deal, on Thursday from Triple-A Buffalo. With the season winding down, the Blue Jays can get a good look at Clase, who is a gifted athlete with real upside in the long term. The 22-year-old is currently listed by MLB Pipeline as Toronto's No. 6 prospect. Especially with outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) out for the remainder of the year after shoulder surgery, Clase could get some nice run to close things out through the end of September in Toronto's outfield. The switch-hitting Dominican made his MLB debut with Seattle earlier this year and went 8-for-41 (.195) with a double, three RBI and three steals in 19 games. In 94 games with Buffalo and Triple-A Tacoma, Clase has hit .263/.344/.439 with 12 homers, 45 RBI and 38 steals in 426 plate appearances.

Sep 19

Bo Bichette • SS • Blue Jays

Bo Bichette Done For The Year With Fractured Finger

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (finger) suffered a fractured right middle finger and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, ending his season. It officially ends what has been one of the most disappointing seasons for any player in baseball in 2024. Bichette ended up playing in just 81 games and slashing .225/.277/.322 with a career-worst .598 OPS, four home runs, 31 RBI and five stolen bases in 336 trips to the plate. The 26-year-old managed to play in just one game, going 2-for-5 with an RBI on Sept. 17, since returning from a lengthy stint on the IL due to a calf injury that had been bothering him since the first half of the season. Bichette will now focus on getting his finger healthy this offseason, but he should be fully recovered in time for spring training as he attempts to have a bounce-back season in 2025. Ernie Clement and Leo Jimenez should share time at the 6 in Toronto the rest of the way.

Sep 19

Bo Bichette • SS • Blue Jays

Bo Bichette Day-To-Day With Finger Contusion

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was scratched from Wednesday's lineup after taking a ground ball off his middle finger in pregame warmups. The 26-year-old will have x-rays with the results expected Thursday. For now, he's considered day-to-day. The 2x All-Star had just returned from the IL, playing in just one game before this new injury. Bichette was having an uncharacteristically poor season as it was, slashing just .225/.277/.322 with four home runs in 81 games, compared to a career .290/.332/.466 slashline while averaging 24 home runs from 2021-23. Look for an update on his status sometime Thursday prior to the Jays' afternoon matchup with the Rangers.

Sep 19

Joey Loperfido • LF • Blue Jays

Joey Loperfido Returning On Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joey Loperfido (hip) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers. The 25-year-old has been out of the lineup since suffering a groin injury during Saturday's contest. It appears the rookie outfielder is ready to go and will cover center field and bat eighth versus left-hander Cody Bradford on Wednesday. Loperfido doesn't face left-handed pitching very often, but does have decent results in a small sample size. He's not a great DFS option for Wednesday, but fantasy managers in season-long formats can get him back in their lineups.

Sep 18

Daulton Varsho • LF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Placed On 10-Day Injured List

The Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 14) with a right-shoulder strain and recalled outfielder Steward Berroa from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Given the timing and the fact that Varsho hasn't played in a game since Sept. 11, there's a good chance that his 2024 season might be over. If this is it for the 28-year-old left-handed slugger, he'll finish his second year in Toronto with a weak .214/.293/.407 slash line with 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 137 strikeouts in 513 plate appearances over 136 games played. His injury should open up more time for Nathan Lukes in center field for the rest of the season. In 11 games in just his second year in the big leagues, Lukes is swinging it well with a .357 average (15-for-42) with two doubles, five RBI and a stolen base for Toronto.

Sep 17

Bo Bichette • SS • Blue Jays

Bo Bichette Reinstated And Starting On Tuesday

The Toronto Blue Jays reinstated shortstop Bo Bichette (calf) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and also placed outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) on the 10-day IL with a right-shoulder strain. The club also placed infielder Will Wagner (knee) on the 60-day IL, recalled outfielder Steward Berroa from Triple-A Buffalo and claimed right-hander Nick Robertson off waivers from the Angels and optioned him to Buffalo. Bichette is starting at short and batting second on Tuesday against Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Bichette has been out since just after the All-Star break with a calf injury that has bothered him for most of the year. It could also help explain why he's having the worst year of his career with a .222/.275/.320 slash line with a .595 OPS in 80 games. The two-time All-Star is now just hoping to finish off the year on a strong note.

Sep 17

Daulton Varsho • LF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Battling Shoulder Soreness

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will remain out of the starting nine on Sunday afternoon due to a sore left shoulder. Mike Wallner of the Toronto Star reports that this injury has kept the 28-year-old out of the lineup since Tuesday. As a result, Nathan Lukes will cover center field and bat in the leadoff spot. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Varsho's status before their game on Tuesday evening against the Texas Rangers. Throughout September, Varsho has carried a mere .148/.207/.296 line. Lukes has tallied 12 hits across his past nine games with two of them going for extra bases. He is worth a look in DFS this afternoon as he will face St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas, who enters Sunday with a 5.55 ERA.

Sep 15

José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios Earns 16th Win Of The Season In Quality Start

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios tossed seven innings of one-run ball in Saturday's 7-2 victory over the Cardinals, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out four on the way to earning his 16th win of the season. It was the 30-year-old's seventh consecutive quality start and 20th on the season. The 2x All-Star has been good at home, posting a 10-2 record with a 2.69 ERA, and has put together a nice season overall, with a 3.44 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 12.5% K-BB% to go with his 16-9 record.

Sep 15

Joey Loperfido • LF • Blue Jays

Joey Loperfido Exits Saturday Early

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joey Loperfido (hip) left Saturday's game early due to left adductor discomfort, according to Mike Wallner of the Toronto Star. The 25-year-old was lifted in the fifth inning after grabbing his hip in pain. He was replaced by infielder Luis De Los Santos after Addison Barger shifted to cover left field. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Sunday's starting nine, as the Duke product may need an extra day off. Since the start of the month, Loperfido has carried a .250/.276/.357 line with three doubles and three RBI. If Loperfido happens to miss an extended period of time, Davis Schneider will likely see an uptick in playing time in the outfield.

Sep 14

Daulton Varsho • LF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Out On Friday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho will start on the bench for Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre. With Varsho out, rookie Joey Loperfido is in center field and is batting ninth, and Nathan Lukes is starting in left field and will hit out of the two-hole versus Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde. Neither Loperfido nor Lukes have ever faced Fedde before. Varsho is sitting against a right-hander because he has just four hits in his last 27 at-bats (.148) with a homer, double, two RBI, two walks and 11 strikeouts. He has double digits in homers (18) and steals (10) in 136 games in his second year in Toronto but is also hitting just .214 (98-for-459) with a .293 on-base percentage. Lukes is the better DFS sleeper because of his lineup position, and he's hit an impressive .357 (10-for-28) in eight games for the Blue Jays this year.

Sep 13

Toronto Blue Jays News

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