Toronto Blue Jays News

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José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios Joining Team Puerto Rico for the Remainder of WBC

Team Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said that Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios has received clearance to join the Puerto Rican team for the remainder of the World Baseball Classic, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Puerto Rico has already secured a spot in the tournament quarterfinals, which begin on Friday. Across 166 innings (31 games) in 2025, Berrios posted a 9-5 record with a 4.17 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts. The 31-year-old reportedly dealt with a biceps tendon issue down the stretch of 2025 and was left off Toronto's postseason roster during its run to the World Series. However, Berrios has said he is fully healthy heading into 2026 and will have a chance to prove he is on the path to a bounce-back season at the WBC. The Blue Jays have enough pitching depth to potentially move Berrios out of the starting rotation if he struggles again this season, making him a risky starting pitcher option for fantasy managers.

10 hours ago

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage Scheduled to Pitch in Minor-League Game on Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that starting pitcher Trey Yesavage will pitch in a Minor League game at the team's Spring Training complex on Wednesday, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Matheson reports that the plan is for Yesavage to pitch two innings, and that may make two additional Spring Training starts following his outing on Wednesday. Toronto is carefully managing Yesavage's workload after he threw 139 2/3 innings (including Minor League and postseason action) in 2025. Yesavage was a key piece of the Blue Jays' run to the World Series last season, posting a 35.8% strikeout rate and a 1.05 WHIP across 27 2/3 postseason innings. While the young righty's long-term upside appears to be sky-high, Toronto's apparent desire to hold him back from a full starter's workload may limit his 2026 fantasy value. Yesavage profiles as a high-ceiling, low-floor number three fantasy starter as Opening Day approaches.

10 hours ago

Ricky Tiedemann • SP • Blue Jays

Ricky Tiedemann Resumes Throwing on Tuesday

Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann (elbow) resumed throwing in camp on Tuesday, per Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. Once one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, Tiedemann is now just trying to stay healthy after missing all of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. He was shut down late last month after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired left arm, but he has been cleared to resume throwing. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper formats can still dream on the former third-rounder's upside at the next level, but the bottom line is that he needs to prove he can stay on the mound for an extended period of time first. It's unclear if Tiedemann will be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, but even if he is, he'll almost certainly begin the year at Triple-A Buffalo for more seasoning.

19 hours ago

Shane Bieber • SP • Blue Jays

Shane Bieber Continues to Throw on Flat Ground

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (forearm) continues to throw on flat ground in camp, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. All of the reports on Bieber's throwing program in spring training have been good, but there's still no timetable for when he'll get up on a mound. The 30-year-old former American League Cy Young winner made his return from Tommy John surgery last year but then dealt with right-forearm fatigue late in the year as the Blue Jays made a run to the World Series. The two-time All-Star pitched well in his seven regular-season starts, allowing 16 earned runs on 34 hits (eight homers) while walking seven and striking out 37 in 40 1/3 innings. Bieber made five appearances (four starts) in the postseason, allowing nine runs (eight earned) while walking six and fanning 18 in 18 2/3 frames. He has already been ruled out for Opening Day, making him a tough sell in shallow mixed leagues as starting rotation depth.

19 hours ago

Ricky Tiedemann • SP • Blue Jays

Ricky Tiedemann Could Resume Throwing Soon

Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann (elbow) has not resumed throwing yet after he was shut down with left-elbow soreness 10 days ago, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. At that time, an MRI exam didn't show any structural damage. "Hopefully, in the next couple of days, he should be back at it," manager John Schneider said. The 23-year-old appears to be OK, but more elbow issues this spring are not what fantasy managers holding Tiedemann wanted to see after he had Tommy John surgery in July of 2024. He did not pitch at all in 2025 and already had an injury-prone label before having elbow reconstruction. Tiedemann isn't guaranteed to be ready to pitch in Grapefruit League games before the end of camp, and the Blue Jays will be extremely cautious with his workload in 2026. He probably isn't a realistic redraft target this year.

4 days ago

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Blue Jays "Still View" Trey Yesavage as a Starter

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage's next spring outing could be another live batting practice session, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. There are "no immediate plans" to get him into a Grapefruit League game. Manager John Schneider said, "We still view him as a starter," when asked about Yesavage's role going into the 2026 season. But it's no secret that Toronto is handling the talent young arm with kid gloves, and he could have an abbreviated start to the season, going like three to four innings per outing out of the gates. The 22-year-old only threw 46 1/3 innings at East Carolina in 2024 before jumping to 139 2/3 innings last year as he made it all the way to the big leagues while helping the Jays make it all the way to the World Series. Yesavage looked solid with 16 K's in 14 innings over his three regular-season starts, and he also added a 12-strikeout performance against the Dodgers in the World Series. His upside will be limited early on in his first full big-league season, so fantasy managers should have Yesavage ranked as more of a No. 3 starter with upside.

4 days ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Completely Past his Thumb Issues

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer said he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season and is completely past his thumb issues, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "I feel good. I feel healthy. I just want to pitch," Scherzer said. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $3 million deal to return to Toronto last week, and he confirmed he'll make his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner missed three months last year with thumb issues and had a career-worst 5.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 82 strikeouts in 85 innings over 17 starts during the regular season. Scherzer had a 3.77 ERA with 11 K's and six walks in 14 1/3 innings over three playoff starts. Scherzer is no longer the dominant pitcher he was in his prime, and he's hard to recommend in mixed leagues with durability concerns in a hitter-friendly home ballpark.

7 days ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Could Make Grapefruit League Debut This Weekend

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer is with the team at camp and threw a side session in full uniform on Monday, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Scherzer could make his Grapefruit League debut as early as this Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $3 million deal with Toronto last week to return for a 19th major-league season. The eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner could be ready to open the year in the team's starting rotation despite signing late this spring. Scherzer will always be a bulldog, but Father Time is catching up with him. He went 5-5 with a career-high 5.19 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 82:23 K:BB in 85 innings over 17 regular-season starts. Not only is Scherzer no longer dominant on the mound, but durability is a major concern. Scherzer could be a matchup-based streamer in the right matchups, but he's outside RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitcher rankings.

Mar 2

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage to be Ramped Up While in Toronto's Rotation

Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith writes that a best-case scenario for Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage is to "have him ready to pitch five-plus innings when the season begins," according to manager John Schneider. The Jays will ramp Yesavage up deliberately, which could mean that he's only going three to four innings to start the 2026 regular season. Nicholson-Smith reports that Yesavage will ramp up in Toronto's starting rotation and not at Triple-A Buffalo. The 22-year-old is one of the top arms in baseball and debuted to plenty of fanfare in 2025, posting a 3.21 ERA with 16 K's in 14 innings over his first three regular-season starts. In 27 2/3 postseason innings, he had a 3.58 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 11 walks, including a 12-K performance in the World Series against L.A. Yesavage threw 139 2/3 frames in 2025 after throwing 93 1/3 innings in college the year prior. The 22-year-old's control needs to improve, but he has as much upside as any young starter once he's fully stretched out.

Feb 28

Shane Bieber • SP • Blue Jays

Shane Bieber Throwing at 120 Feet, Timeline Remains Fuzzy

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (forearm) is still throwing at 120 feet in camp, but he has yet to throw off a mound, manager John Schneider told MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Everything appears to be going according to plan, but Matheson writes that it's hard to chart out any sort of timeline for Bieber's return until he throws a real bullpen session for the first time. The 30-year-old former American League Cy Young winner pitched through right-forearm fatigue during last year's run to the World Series, so the Blue Jays are slow-playing him this spring, and it's already been announced that he'll open the 2026 campaign on the injured list. We should have a better idea of his timetable once he starts throwing off the mound in the next two weeks. Bieber didn't debut in 2025 until August while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he pitched well when he returned and was an asset in the postseason. Fantasy managers should not be counting on him to return to ace form, but he's worth stashing in an IL spot in deep-mixed leagues for rotation depth.

Feb 28

Cody Ponce • SP • Blue Jays

Cody Ponce Throws an Inning in Spring Debut

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Cody Ponce made his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday and threw a clean inning with no walks, no hits, and two strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. Ponce is an interesting arm going into the 2026 season in the middle of Toronto's starting rotation. The Jays signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract in December after he was named the MVP of the Korean League last year with the Hanwha Eagles, where he had an impressive 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 252:41 K:BB in 180 2/3 innings pitched. Ponce won't have it easy as he returns to the majors in the tough American League East and in a hitter-friendly home ballpark, but he's returning with a better splitter and the addition of a kick-change. The 31-year-old had a 5.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 48:17 K:BB in 20 outings (five starts) in 2020 and 2021 with the Pirates. Ponce will be one to watch in deep-mixed leagues and a sleeper for those in AL-only leagues.

Feb 26

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Returns to Blue Jays on One-Year Deal

Free-agent right-hander Max Scherzer agreed with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $3 million contract on Wednesday night, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal includes $10 million in incentives that start at 65 innings pitched and full no-trade protection. Scherzer is a three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star, but Father Time is catching up with him at 41 years old (42 in July). In his 18th big-league season last year with Toronto, he battled injuries and went 5-5 with a career-worst 5.19 ERA (4.99 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 82 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 85 innings over 17 regular-season starts. Scherzer was better in the postseason, and he could wind up in the starting rotation to begin the 2026 campaign with Shane Bieber (forearm) starting on the injured list. He's no longer Mr. Reliable, and his issues with the long ball will probably persist at Rogers Centre.

Feb 26

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage to be on Strict Inning Limit This Season

The Toronto Blue Jays plan to manage right-hander Trey Yesavage's "workload fluidly throughout the season," according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Yesavage's rotation turn could be skipped or pushed back at times, depending on his measurables and how he's recovering between outings. The 22-year-old is still roughly a week from pitching in a Grapefruit League game in spring training as the team builds him up deliberately after a considerable workload jump last year. He is throwing a side session on Tuesday in camp, and his next mound work is scheduled to be a live batting practice session. Yesavage threw 139 2/3 innings last year, including the playoffs, after tossing 93 1/3 innings in college in 2024. The former first-rounder had a 3.21 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 16 K's in 14 innings over three starts at the tail end of the regular season before throwing another 27 2/3 frames in the playoffs, including a 12-strikeout performance in the World Series. Yesavage is clearly one of the best young arms in the game, but there are control and workload concerns, making him more of a No. 3 starting pitcher target in fantasy drafts.

Feb 24

Ricky Tiedemann • SP • Blue Jays

Ricky Tiedemann to Back Off for a Week Due to Elbow Soreness

Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann (elbow) felt left-elbow soreness after his last side session in spring training, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. An MRI exam came back clean on his left elbow, but the Blue Jays will be cautious and back him off for a week in camp. It's not what you want to hear from a young pitcher who already missed all of the 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Once one of the most promising young pitching prospects in baseball, the 23-year-old southpaw could be in danger of missing more time because of elbow issues this year. The Blue Jays could decide to move Tiedemann to a relief role to keep him healthy, but for now, they are hoping he can remain a starter long-term. Given all the time he's missed due to injury, Tiedemann is expected to begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Buffalo if he's healthy.

Feb 24

Andrés Giménez • 2B • Blue Jays

Andres Gimenez Looking for Healthy 2026

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop/second baseman Andres Gimenez helped the Blue Jays get to the World Series in his first season after joining the team via trade, but he had a down year at the plate. He hit only .210 after hitting over .250 in each of his last three seasons in Cleveland, and he only had seven homers and 12 stolen bases after hitting at least nine homers and stealing at least 20 bases in each of his last three seasons. He was limited to only 101 games, mostly by a high ankle sprain, and he admitted this spring training that he continued to play through pain after he returned in mid-August. He'll be sliding from 2B to SS on a full-time basis in 2026, and if he's healthy, he could have a bounce-back season. Since he stole 30 bases in 2024 and 2023, he could be a sneaky source of late-round speed if he's able to stay healthy in his second season in Toronto.

Feb 24

Ernie Clement • 3B • Blue Jays

Ernie Clement Expected to Play a Major Role in Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement is a nice late-round fantasy baseball value who brings versatility and should get regular playing time for the Blue Jays. He actually hit leadoff in their first game of spring training while playing 2B. George Springer was not in the lineup and will normally hit leadoff, but Clement will be crucial to their hopes of going back to the World Series and will likely fill in at multiple spots around the infield. Last year, Clement played 157 games and had a career-high 588 at-bats while hitting .277 with nine homers, six stolen bases, and a .308 wOBA. While he doesn't necessarily bring elite production in any single category, he consistently chips in with counting stats and a good batting average, bringing a high floor and lots of versatility. If you're looking for a safer late-round pick, Clement can be a solid depth addition.

Feb 24

José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios Feels Fully Healthy Now

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios is feeling 100 percent healthy in camp right now. According to Mitch Bannon, Berrios said on Monday that he was dealing with a bicep tendon issue in September of last season. This could help explain why Berrios struggled late last season and why he was eventually left off the postseason roster. Heading into camp, there was some uncertainty about whether or not Berrios would be in the starting rotation to begin the 2026 season. Now, Berrios is basically a lock to join the rotation with Shane Bieber (forearm) heading to the injured list to start the regular season. The hope is that a fully healthy Berrios can bounce back after posting mediocre numbers in 2025.

Feb 23

Kazuma Okamoto • 3B • Blue Jays

Kazuma Okamoto Hitting Third in Grapefruit League Opener

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto is starting at third base and batting sixth in the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The Blue Jays will get Okamoto as many at-bats in spring training as they can before the 29-year-old reports to Team Japan for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Third base is his job to lose as he enters his first year in the major leagues, especially since Toronto could use Addison Barger more in the outfield with Anthony Santander (shoulder) potentially missing all of 2026. The biggest question is whether Okamoto's power will translate to MLB immediately. He hit at least 27 home runs in each of his first seven seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, but he only managed 15 in 2025 due to an elbow injury. Still, his combination of contact and power skills makes him intriguing near the heart of the Blue Jays' batting order.

Feb 21

Yimi García • RP • Blue Jays

Yimi Garcia Won't be Ready for Opening Day

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow) said on Friday that he is "a little behind" the other pitchers in camp and will "100%" not be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The 35-year-old veteran reliever had right-elbow surgery in September of last year and is still recovering. Garcia has yet to throw off a mound, but he's hoping to do so in the next week or two. "I feel good right now, I feel better than last season," Garcia said. In addition to his elbow injury, Garcia missed time with ankle and shoulder injuries in 2025 and was limited to just 21 relief innings. He was unavailable for the Blue Jays' postseason run to the World Series, but Toronto is hoping he'll bounce back as their top setup man in 2026. Garcia has 12 saves and 57 holds for the team in the last four seasons, and he would most likely be their top option for saves if Jeff Hoffman is injured or ineffective.

Feb 20

José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios has "Looked Sharp" This Spring

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios, who has been the team's Opening Day starter in three of the last four seasons, is "once again looking like the pitcher who built the reputation as one of the most reliable workhorses in the sport," according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Despite Berrios' dip in velocity at the end of last year and a trip to the injured list, he's locked into Toronto's rotation. "Jos is fully healthy. He's looked sharp," manager John Schneider said. "His stuff is back to where it was probably two years ago in terms of velocity and his breaking ball. He changed his breaking ball a bit to make it a little bigger, so I love that guys are trying to evolve a bit, too." The 31-year-old Puerto Rican is looking to bounce back after throwing only 166 innings in 2025 -- his fewest since 2017 with the Twins. Berrios might not have the velocity to blow hitters away anymore, and the mileage on his arm is a concern, but if he can limit walks and keep the ball in the yard more, a bounce-back could be coming.

Feb 20

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