Toronto Blue Jays News

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Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer's Thumb Issue Returns, Receives Injection

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm, thumb), who had a cortisone injection in his right forearm last Thursday, is getting another shot in his troublesome right thumb, manager John Schneider told Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Schneider said Scherzer's thumb issue popped back up recently, and he's taking the opportunity to address it while he's on the 15-day injured list. The 41-year-old veteran was bothered by a thumb issue last year in Toronto. Right-forearm tendinitis is still his biggest obstacle this year, but it has been one thing after another for the three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer in the last couple of seasons. When actually healthy, Scherzer is no longer the dominant hurler that he was for so much of his 18-year career. He continues to try to work his way back to Toronto's starting rotation, but Father Time is undefeated. In his five starts this year before landing on the IL, Scherzer struggled to a 9.64 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 10:8 K:BB in 18 2/3 innings. Retirement might not be far off.

5 hours ago

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Goes Back on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Monday that they placed infielder/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 10) with right-elbow inflammation and recalled outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Barger had just returned on Saturday from an IL stint due to injuries to both of his ankles, but he ended up playing in just one game over the weekend before suffering an elbow injury. It's unclear what the severity of Barger's new injury is, but he's obviously been a big disappointment early in 2026 due to the injury bug. In just nine games played, he's hit .045 (1-for-22) with a double, two RBI, two runs scored, five walks, and seven strikeouts. Barger isn't a must-hold in mixed fantasy baseball leagues, and he's currently rostered in just 26% of Yahoo leagues. Pinango, a 24-year-old Venezuelan outfielder, is in his first MLB season. He got off to a good start in his first 10 games with Toronto, going 11-for-26 (.423) with four RBI and a run scored, and he'll now get another chance to prove himself in the Jays' outfield. UPDATE: Barger's MRI exam didn't show any structural damage in his elbow, per manager John Schneider.

7 hours ago

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Scratched From Sunday's Lineup Due to Elbow Soreness

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) has been scratched from the lineup for his team's game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels due to right elbow soreness. Barger was originally slated to lead off and play right field. The 26-year-old was recently activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday after missing over a month with a sprained ankle. Barger has just one hit in 28 plate appearances so far this season and could now be facing another trip to the injured list. Blue Jays outfielder Myles Straw is replacing Barger in the team's lineup on Sunday and would likely see an increase in playing time if Barger ends up missing extended time.

Yesterday

Spencer Miles • SP • Blue Jays

Spencer Miles is Named Opener for Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Spencer Miles will operate as the opener for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The plan is for Miles to pitch an inning or two before handing the ball over to Eric Lauer. The southpaw should pitch the bulk of the innings, but is likely being used this way due to his lackluster results lately. Miles has been mostly solid this season with a 3.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 16:5 K/BB ratio across 18 innings this season. Neither pitcher is an ideal streaming option given the situation. Lauer owns a 6.15 ERA in his last six starts, so he'll be avoidable on Sunday.

2 days ago

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman Could Return to Closer Role

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman was pulled out of the closer role after struggling to begin the season. Hoffman has handled it well and has been putting together quality outings lately. Recently, Jays' manager John Schneider spoke about the possibility of Hoffman returning to the closer role in the future. He mentioned that the team will continue to go with a committee, which should include Hoffman if he continues to pitch well. It doesn't sound like Hoffman is going to fully regain the closer role, but he should get chances to close out games. If that happens, Hoffman could be someone worth scooping up on the waiver wire, assuming he begins pitching in the ninth inning again.

2 days ago

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Activated From the Injured List

The Toronto Blue Jays have reinstated outfielder Addison Barger (ankles) from the 10-day injured list on Saturday. The 26-year-old has been absent from the team for over a month due to a sprained ankle, but he will return to the club on Saturday. He recently completed a brief rehab assignment during which he hit two home runs in three games. With his ankle feeling better, the team determined that he was ready to rejoin the club. He will bat second in the Blue Jays' lineup and should provide the team with a boost at the plate. Barger is looking to build on his slow start to the season, which saw him record just one hit in his first 23 plate appearances. The corresponding move saw 24-year-old outfielder Yohendrick Pinango optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

2 days ago

Dylan Cease • SP • Blue Jays

Dylan Cease Continues Strong First Year in Toronto With Dominant Outing

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease was dominant again in his outing on Friday night against the visiting Los Angeles Angels in the team's 2-0 shutout win. Cease threw seven shutout frames while allowing five hits, walking none, and striking out 10 to earn his third victory of the year in his first year with the Blue Jays. He also lowered his ERA on the year to 2.58. It was the second straight start in which Cease went seven innings, and he induced 19 swings and misses on his 97 pitches. The 30-year-old veteran only allowed one extra-base hit on the evening at the Rogers Centre as he made easy work of the struggling Halos. Cease has been an excellent pickup for Toronto so far in 2026, as he entered Friday's outing with a 2-1 record, 3.05 ERA (2.12 FIP), and 1.33 WHIP with 56 strikeouts and 18 walks in 38 1/3 innings pitched. He has recorded three double-digit strikeout performances in his eight starts so far in 2026. Cease will have a big challenge on his hand in his next outing next week versus the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, but he's been a must-start for fantasy managers.

2 days ago

Louis Varland • RP • Blue Jays

Louis Varland is Pushing Must-Add Territory

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Louis Varland is quickly running away with the full-time closer job. He recently took over for the struggling Jeff Hoffman and has looked fantastic in the ninth-inning role. Varland tossed a scoreless frame on Friday to notch his fifth save of the season. The right-hander has allowed one earned run across 19.2 innings of work this season. He owns a 1.07 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and only seven walks to his name. Given how well he's pitching, Varland should remain the favorite for saves in Toronto going forward. Fantasy managers looking for a source of saves or need a reliable relief pitcher should check the waiver wire to see if Varland is available.

3 days ago

Shane Bieber • SP • Blue Jays

Shane Bieber to Face Live Hitters on Tuesday

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) is scheduled to face live hitters on Tuesday, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Bieber returned from Tommy John last year to make seven regular-season starts for Toronto before helping them advance to the World Series against the Dodgers. The 30-year-old former American League Cy Young winner developed right-elbow inflammation in the offseason, though, and was not ready for the start of the 2026 campaign. His session on Tuesday will be the first time that he has thrown off a mound since the World Series last October. Because of how slow the Blue Jays are bringing him along, even without a setback, Bieber probably will not be an option for the team's starting rotation until June. The two-time All-Star should have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's ready, so he'll be worth a look for fantasy managers seeking rotation help in about a month. Bieber is rostered in 45% of Yahoo leagues currently.

3 days ago

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Likely to Come Off Injured List on Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (ankles) is traveling on Friday and will "most likely" be activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday, manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The Blue Jays want to give Barger a day to reset and envision a busy workload for him once he's back in the big leagues. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter only played in three minor-league rehab games with Single-A Dunedin, going 2-for-9 at the plate, with both of his hits leaving the yard. The former sixth-rounder in 2018 went just 1-for-19 (.053) with two RBI, three walks, and six strikeouts in 23 plate appearances over eight games to begin the 2026 season with the Jays, but he's worth a look in deeper fantasy formats for outfield depth now that he's on the cusp of his return. Barger hit the ball hard consistently in his first full season in the majors in 2025, slashing .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 homers, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four steals in 135 regular-season games played. He's rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues on the verge of his activation.

3 days ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Receives Cortisone Shot, Shut Down for Five Days

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm, ankle) received a cortisone shot in his right forearm and will be shut down from throwing for five days, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Scherzer went on the 15-day injured list at the end of April with right-forearm tendinitis and left-ankle inflammation. He said he's no longer worried about his ankle, but his right arm continues to give him problems while trying to build himself back up. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer is most likely going to need a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment at some point before Toronto feels comfortable having him rejoin the major-league starting rotation, so fantasy managers in AL-only leagues shouldn't expect Scherzer back until June, at the earliest. The three-time Cy Young winner is running out of steam and has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, making just 26 starts over the last two seasons. In his five starts with the Jays before going on the IL this year, Scherzer struggled to a 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with only 10 K's and eight walks in 18 2/3 innings. He should no longer be rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues, and he's currently rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Alejandro Kirk • C • Blue Jays

Alejandro Kirk to Start Hitting This Weekend

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) will start hitting this weekend for the first time since having surgery on his fractured left thumb on April 7, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. Barring a setback once he begins ramping up his baseball activities, Kirk could be back with the Blue Jays before the end of May. Until Kirk can return from the 10-day injured list, the Jays will continue to go forward with a catching tandem of Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela. The 27-year-old Kirk only played in five games before his injury, going 3-for-20 (.150) at the plate with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. He was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2025, slashing .282/.348/.421 with a career-high 15 home runs, 76 RBI, 45 runs scored, and a stolen base in 130 regular-season games played. The volume isn't great with Kirk, but when healthy, he offers fantasy managers a solid average with decent counting stats. Kirk is currently rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues.

4 days ago

Shane Bieber • SP • Blue Jays

Shane Bieber Throws Bullpen on Wednesday, Looks "Sharp"

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) threw a bullpen on Wednesday and "looked sharp," per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Bannon reports that Bieber is scheduled to throw another bullpen next week before progressing to work against live hitters. The veteran right-hander has yet to pitch in 2026 as he works his way back from elbow and forearm issues that landed him on the 60-day injured list before the start of the season. Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2024, which kept him out until August 2025. He was effective down the stretch for Toronto, recording a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts across 40 1/3 innings (seven starts). While Bieber is not eligible to return from the injured list until late May at the earliest, it appears that he's slowly making progress. Once healthy, he should be rostered in most fantasy formats.

4 days ago

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Expected to be Activated on Friday

The plan is for Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (ankles) to come off the 10-day injured list for Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Barger got off to a rough start to the 2026 season at the plate before spraining both of his ankles. The 26-year-old is nearing full health, though, and will return for a series against the Angels at the Rogers Centre. Before landing on the 10-day injured list, Barger went just 1-for-19 at the plate with two RBI, a run scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in eight games played. In his first full season in the majors in 2025, he slashed .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 135 regular-season games while stepping up clutch in the team's run to the World Series in the postseason. Barger doesn't have a ton of plate skills, but he hit the ball hard more often than not last year, and he should play regularly against right-handed pitchers when he returns. He's currently rostered in only 27% of Yahoo leagues.

5 days ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Still Searching for Answers for Forearm Tendinitis

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm) continues to search for answers to his forearm tendinitis, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Scherzer's ankle discomfort has gone away, but his right forearm is currently preventing him from ramping up his throwing program. The good news is that MRI exams aren't showing any structural damage to his arm, but the future Hall of Famer remains without a timetable to return. "Got to talk to more doctors and figure it out," Scherzer said. "The foot, I'm not worried about. My concern is more on this forearm, because now we've given it enough time outside of a start, like I should be ramping back up." The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star might finally be nearing the end of the road in what has been a dominant career. In addition to his injuries, Scherzer went 1-3 with a rough 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP while striking out only 10 in 18 2/3 frames over his first five starts of 2026 before landing on the 15-day injured list early last week. He's still trying to find a way to return to Toronto's rotation, but when/if that will happen is anyone's guess. Scherzer is rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues nowadays.

5 days ago

George Springer • DH • Blue Jays

George Springer Expected to Return to Tuesday's Lineup

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (foot) should be good to play in Tuesday's contest against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, manager John Schneider told Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Springer was hit by a pitch on his left foot on Saturday and has been held out of action for the last two games, but the Blue Jays considered using him as a pinch-hitter in Monday's series opener against the Rays. The 36-year-old veteran and four-time All-Star has already been on the injured list in 2026 with a fractured toe, so the Blue Jays are hoping he can put the injury bug behind him moving forward and get going offensively. Springer surprised nearly everyone last year by hitting .309/.399/.560 with a .956 OPS, 32 home runs, 84 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 106 runs scored in 140 regular-season games before leading the Jays to a World Series appearance. So far this year, though, he's struggled to a .212 average (14-for-66) with two homers and seven RBI in a small sample size of just 18 games.

6 days ago

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Could Rejoin Blue Jays as Soon as Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (ankles) could make his return to the big leagues as soon as Wednesday, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Bannon reports that a return on Friday has been characterized as the "worst-case scenario" for Barger. The 26-year-old is currently on a rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin while he works his way back from injuries to both of his ankles. Barger got off to a rough start to his 2026 season before getting injured, hitting .053/.174/.105 with two RBI and a run scored in a small sample size of 23 plate appearances. However, he hit 21 home runs in 502 plate appearances for Toronto in 2025, and mashed right-handed pitching to a .788 OPS. Once healthy, Barger should see playing time in the corner outfield for the Blue Jays and could be worth adding off the waiver wire for fantasy managers.

7 days ago

George Springer • DH • Blue Jays

George Springer Still Out With Foot Injury on Monday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (foot) remains out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, per MLB.com. Outfielder Daulton Varsho will serve as the DH and hit sixth, while Myles Straw will get the start in center field and hit seventh versus Rays right-hander Nick Martinez. Yohendrick Pinango is starting in left field and batting leadoff. After just recently returning from a stint on the injured list due to a fractured toe, Springer fouled a ball off his left foot in Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Springer didn't play in the series finale on Sunday, but the good news is that he doesn't have any new damage in his foot and is considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if Springer is ready to go. After a late-career resurgence for Springer in 2025, he's been injured so far in 2026 and is currently hitting just .212 (14-for-66) with two homers, seven RBI, four runs scored, and a stolen base in his 13th year in the Show.

7 days ago

Eric Lauer • SP • Blue Jays

Eric Lauer to Start on Monday

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer will take the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. The southpaw will get at least one more turn through the rotation with Jose Berrios (elbow) still sidelined. Lauer was blasted for seven runs on April 11 against the Minnesota Twins, but has been solid since then. Over his last two starts, Lauer has tossed 9.1 innings, allowing four earned runs with four strikeouts. The Rays' lineup isn't exactly scary for an opposing pitcher, so Lauer should be able to offer decent value. The southpaw could be a possible deep league streaming option for that one.

May 3

Arjun Nimmala • SS • Blue Jays

Arjun Nimmala Promoted to Double-A

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala has been promoted to Double-A New Hampshire, according to Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. He had been hitting the ball quite well at High-A so far this season, slashing .241/.360/.482 with four home runs, 19 RBI, and 133 wRC+ as a member of the Vancouver Canadiens. A first-round pick back in 2023, Nimmala has a power-oriented swing but still makes enough contact to avoid being a major strikeout liability. Defensively, he plays well enough to project as a future everyday shortstop in the major leagues. His MLB debut is still a while away, but being promoted to Double-A is certainly a step in the right direction. Nimmala ranks #22 among shortstop prospects in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy baseball rankings.

May 3

Toronto Blue Jays News

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