Blue Jays Nation - News, Roster, Scores, Schedule

August 25 Gameday: Max Scherzer starts against surging Royals

Michael Coyle — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 22:30:18 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays are set to begin their remaining 30 games as they try and hunt down a postseason berth.

After a road trip through Tampa Bay and New York, which saw the Blue Jays go 3-3, they return home to host the Kansas City Royals, kicking off 10 straight series with clubs that currently have records of .500 or worse.

With a record of 64-68 through 132 games, the Blue Jays sit 2.0 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the American League’s final Wild Card spot. Of the eight teams all in the mix for the last spot, the Blue Jays will see six of them down the stretch, leaving themselves in control of their own fate.

On the mound kick off their six-game homestand will be Max Scherzer. Through 11 starts this season, Scherzer is 1-6 with a 7.40 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. The right-hander has struck out 32 batters over his 45 innings pitched, but has allowed a concerning 12 home runs during that span.

While from the outset those numbers aren’t pretty, Scherzer has been better since the calendar flipped to August. Across his four outings in August, Scherzer is 0-2 with a 4.87 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Opponents have only been able to hit .218 off of the 41-year-old, and if it weren’t for two defensive miscues by Jesús Sánchez during his last start in Tampa Bay, Scherzer’s numbers could look even better.

One Royal who has hit Scherzer well in his career is Salvador Perez. Perez is a career .371 hitter off Scherzer across 35 at-bats, and has slugged four home runs and nine RBIs during that span. This season, Perez is batting .222 with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs, but he has been heating up as of late, highlighted by a .360 average over his past seven games.

Countering Scherzer for the Royals (58-74) is right-hander Seth Lugo. Through 26 starts this season, Lugo is 5-7 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Lugo has struck out 111 batters across his 145.1 innings pitched, and has been hit at a .278 clip by his opponents.

The Blue Jays’ lineup has to take advantage of the struggles Lugo has had as of late. Across his last seven starts, Lugo has posted a 5.09 ERA and has given up 39 hits across his 40.2 innings pitched during that span.

Here’s how the lineups look in the series opener at Rogers Centre:

Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Ontario

First Pitch: 7:07 p.m. ET

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Max Scherzer: 1-6 record, 7.40 ERA, 45 IP, 32 SO, 20 BB

Kansas City Royals – Seth Lugo: 5-7 record, 4.71 ERA, 145.1 IP, 111 SO, 46 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:

Brett Bateman – CF
Nathan Lukes – RF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Jesús Sánchez – DH
Ernie Clement – 2B
Andrés Giménez – SS
Brandon Valenzuela – C
Myles Straw – LF

Royals:

Carter Jensen – C
Bobby Witt Jr. – SS
Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B
Salvador Perez – DH
Michael Massey – 2B
Nick Loftin – 3B
Isaac Collins – LF
John Rave – RF
Kyle Isbel – CF

Sponsored by bet365

Blue Jays’ Yimi García undergoes season-ending thoracic outlet surgery

Michael Coyle — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:44:49 GMT

Yimi García’s comeback attempt with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026 has officially come to an end.

On Tuesday during his media availability before the series opener against the Kansas City Royals, manager John Schneider announced that García had thoracic outlet surgery last Thursday in Dallas.

García opened the 2026 season rehabbing from right elbow surgery that occurred last September, but as he continued to get closer to joining Toronto, more ailments derailed the right-hander.

The 36-year-old got into his first rehab action in the FCL before shifting to Single-A Dunedin at the beginning of June. After two outings with Dunedin, García was moved up to Triple-A Buffalo.

In four games with the Bisons, García went 1-0 with a 10.80 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP. The righty struck out five batters across his 3.1 innings pitched, but as he appeared to be closing in on a return to the Blue Jays’ bullpen, a new injury arose.

Yimi García had thoracic outlet surgery in Dallas recently.

A long, frustrating season comes to an end. It felt like García was close a half-dozen times this season, but he never got there. #BlueJays

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 25, 2026

After his four appearances, García dealt with bicep soreness. While the injury was different from the elbow one he was working to overcome, general manager Ross Atkins gave the media an explanation as to what García was going through.

“Doctors have continued to be encouraged and see mostly positive signs,” Atkins said. “It’s very complex, the way the shoulder connects to the arm, and all the nerves that are involved is an extremely complex problem.”

Following this diagnosis, García pitched in another game with Dunedin on July 25, but this will be the final time he takes the mound this year. After signing with the Blue Jays on a two-year, $15-million contract in December 2024, García will enter free agency this off-season with his last pitch in a Blue Jays uniform likely coming back on July 2, 2025.

For his career, García has pitched in 436 games with the Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, and Seattle Mariners and has gone 23-31 with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. García has struck out 456 batters across his 419.1 innings pitched and has held opponents to a .216 average.

Sponsored by bet365

Jameson Taillon making Triple-A rehab start Friday, likely rejoin Blue Jays’ rotation against Guardians

Thomas Hall — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:00:32 GMT

There’s hope that right-hander Jameson Taillon can rejoin the Toronto Blue Jays’ injury-depleted rotation next week, manager John Schneider told reporters on Tuesday.

Taillon, placed on the 15-day IL with right forearm tendinitis on Aug. 11, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. The 34-year-old starter will be aiming for roughly 50 pitches in that outing, per Schneider. If all goes well, he’ll return during next week’s three-game series in Cleveland against the Guardians.

The timing of this development is significant, considering the Blue Jays just lost Shane Bieber — who’ll be shut down from throwing for at least a couple of weeks — to a right teres major injury, which could sideline him for the rest of this season. Hopefully, this means they can return to five healthy starters again following the current turn through the rotation.

It is worth noting, however, that Taillon won’t be fully stretched out after just one Triple-A rehab start. Ideally, he’d have two or three volume-building outings down there. But since that luxury isn’t available, they’ll have to build him up on the fly while facing major-league hitters.

Since arriving via trade from the Chicago Cubs, Taillon has made a pair of starts with the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on seven hits and five walks while recording seven strikeouts across eight combined innings. He made his most recent start against the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 10, tossing four shutout innings of one-hit ball.

Overall, the veteran hurler owns a 5.68 ERA and 6.54 FIP across 17 starts split between Chicago and Toronto, posting an 11.9 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%) over 84 innings. He’s in the final season of a four-year, $68 million contract and will become a free agent this winter.

Schneider also revealed that Josh Smith (left hamstring inflammation) will participate in full on-field team workouts at the Rogers Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday. Assuming he operates without any issues, he’ll head to Triple-A on Thursday or Friday to begin a rehab assignment.

Smith could also return from the IL in Cleveland next week, as he’s first eligible to be activated on Aug. 31.

PRESENTED BY THE PERFECT 9 COLLECTION

Some baseball traditions never get old. The Perfect 9 Collection is our newest limited-edition collaboration with Blue Jays Today, inspired by the viral 9/9/9 challenge that has become a staple of baseball culture. Whether you’re taking on the challenge or just enjoying a day at the ballpark, this collection celebrates the moments that make baseball unforgettable. Featuring premium Levelwear apparel with elevated fabrics and modern fits, it’s designed for fans who live and breathe the game—on game day and beyond. Limited edition. Premium quality. Built for baseball fans. Shop the Perfect 9 Collection while it lasts. Exclusively at nationgear.ca

Series Preview: Blue Jays return home to host red-hot Royals

Ryley Delaney — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:30:07 GMT

It’s crunch time for the Toronto Blue Jays.

They managed to weather the storm in their recent stretch, going 12-8 facing the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees (two series), and Tampa Bay Rays. The Blue Jays have been playing better, winning seven consecutive series before dropping two of three to the Yankees this past weekend.

After the storm comes the sun, and the Jays begin an “easy” stretch for the remainder of the season. The Blue Jays don’t play a team that currently has a record above .500 for the remainder of the season. Additionally, they have at least one series against five teams who are in the race for the final wild card spot, meaning they still control their destiny.

As easy as their schedule is on paper, baseball is not played on paper, it’s played on grass and dirt. Or in the case of Rogers Centre, turf.

Rogers Centre is where the Blue Jays will play on Tuesday evening, hosting the 58-74 Kansas City Royals. That record is a bit misleading, as the Royals have won eight consecutive games, but are also 22-44 on the road. This will be the first time the Jays face the Royals, the lone American League team they haven’t played in 2026.

Let’s examine the Royals.

Examining the Royals

The Royals may have won eight in a row and nine of their last 10, but this still isn’t a good ball club. They’re coming off a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers, also playing the Los Angeles Angels and Athletics in their last 10 games. Wins are wins, but all three teams they faced in this stretch will be contending for the draft lottery rather than a playoff spot.

Of the three teams, the Tigers have the best record (61-70), but still have the seventh-worst record in Major League Baseball despite being four and a half games behind the wild card. They’ve also lost their last six and are 1-9 in their last 10.

The Royals’ offence isn’t the worst, collectively slashing .246/.314/.400 with 136 home runs, good for a 97 wRC+, 19th-best in MLB. Those 136 home runs rank tied for eighth-fewest in MLB, but still well ahead of the Blue Jays’ 124 home runs (tied for second-last). The Royals also don’t strikeout a whole lot, as their 20.9 K% is the sixth-best in the league.

Pitching has hampered the Royals this season. Their rotation has a 4.41 ERA and 4.26 FIP, the 10th and 11th-worst totals in MLB. That’s paired with a 19.5 K%, fourth-worst, and an 8.5 BB%, 11th-worst. Royals starters have given up 88 home runs, which sits in the middle of the pack.

The Royals’ relievers are even worse, somehow. Their bullpen has a 5.21 ERA, second-worst, and a 5.22 FIP, the worst by far. The strikeout woes are still there, with their 18.9 K% ranking tied for second-worst, while their 11.5 BB% is also tied for second-worst in MLB. Royals’ starters don’t give up a bunch of home runs, but the same can’t be said for their relievers, as the bullpen has given up 75 long-balls this season, fourth-worst in MLB.

Essentially, the Blue Jays should be trying to knock the starter out of the game as soon as possible to feast on one of the worst bullpens in MLB.

One player to watch: Jac Caglianone

The bright spot for the Royals this season as been their offence, and even that is below-average. Realistically, only two players hitters standout on the Royals, Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone. I’ve highlighted the latter as the player to watch.

Witt Jr. is one of the best young players in the league and actually leads Royal hitters with a 127 wRC+, but Caglianone isn’t far behind with a 125 wRC+. The difference comes down to power, as Witt Jr. has hit 16 home runs and Caglianone leads the team with 22 blasts.

The outfielder is slashing .276/.328/.491, but doesn’t draw a whole lot of walks (6.2 BB%) and also strikes out quite a lot, sitting at a 26 K%. Still, Caglianone is a very dangerous hitter and the Jays will need to pitch him and Witt Jr. carefully.

Quick Hits

This season, Witt Jr. is slashing .287/.363/.459 with 16 home runs in 499 plate appearances. That’s fourth-best on the Royals, sitting behind Carter Jensen and Salvador Perez. Neither player has a wRC+ above 100, which is considered average. Michael Massey has also hit double-digit home runs, 11.
Remember Luke Maile? The former Blue Jay spent parts of three seasons with the Jays in the late 2010s. Well, the 35-year-old is still kicking it and currently serves as the Royals backup catcher as Perez is serving as the team’s designated hitter.
The Jays avoid Michael Wacha and Daniel Lynch IV in this series. Instead, they’ll face the back end of the Royals’ rotation: Seth Lugo on Tuesday, Randy Dobnak on Wednesday, and Noah Cameron on Thursday. Cameron is the best of the bunch in terms of ERA, as it current sits at 4.22, while his season ERA sits at 4.02.
Lugo is having one of the worst seasons of his career, authoring a 4.71 ERA and 4.08 FIP in 145.1 innings this season. Dobnak has a 1.58 ERA and 3.70 FIP in 45.2 innings of work, but has just a 14.8 K% and 10.2 BB%.
The Royals rotation isn’t great, but at least they have one unlike the Blue Jays. Max Scherzer is set to start on Tuesday, but no starter is named for the final two games. This is in part due to Shane Bieber’s placement on the injured list hours before the series opener. Spencer Arrighetti, Chad Dallas, and Simeon Woods Richardson will have to eat heavy innings this series.

Probable pitchers

Tuesday: Max Scherzer/Seth Lugo

Wednesday: TBD/Randy Dobnak

Thursday: TBD/Noah Cameron

Game times

Tuesday: 7:07 PM ET

Wednesday: 7:07 PM ET

Thursday: 7:07 PM ET

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

CHECK OUT OFF THE ROSTER – NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEKDAY

Off The Roster is Toronto sports. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, this is the go-to morning conversation for everything happening in the 6ix – Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and everything in between. From breakout performances and questionable trades to throwback jerseys, viral moments, and the stories fans are actually talking about—it’s smart, sharp, and never scripted. Live weekday mornings on the Nation Network YouTube channel and available wherever you stream podcasts, the show delivers real opinions, real chemistry, and real Toronto energy. Missed an episode? Catch up anytime. Off The Roster—The new sound of the 6ix.

Out of town scoreboard: Blue Jays drop to two games behind wild card

Ryley Delaney — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:45:26 GMT

Monday wasn’t a good day for the Toronto Blue Jays on the out of town scoreboard.

The Blue Jays had a much-needed off day before embarking on this stretch of 30 games facing teams who don’t have a record above .500 at the time of writing this article. However, five of the seven other teams in the wild card race were in action.

Entering Monday’s slate of games, the Jays sat a game and a half behind both the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians, but ahead of the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners. After Monday’s games, the Jays are now two games behind the Rangers and Guardians, and a game and a half behind the Houston Astros.

Out of town scoreboard for August 24th

Starting with the Rangers, they took on the Chicago White Sox and smashed the American League Central team 11-2.’ Before the White Sox even had a chance to bat, the Rangers took a 2-0 lead, then had a 3-0 lead before the White Sox scored two runs in the bottom of the second. But that’s all the help the Jays got, as the Rangers scored at least one run in seven of the nine innings.

With the win, the Rangers jumped over the Houston Astros for top spot in the American League West. The Rangers and White Sox resume their series on Tuesday evening, as Rangers’ Jacob deGrom (3.77 ERA) faces White Sox starter Anthony Kay (3.96 ERA) with a 7:40 PM ET start time.

The White Sox’s loss has ramifications for the Guardians as well, as they took down the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 in Monday’s series opener. With the Guardians’ win and White Sox’s loss, the Guardians are just two and a half games back of the division lead.

As for the game itself, the Guardians opened the scoring in the top of the third, but the Angels tied it an inning later. The Guardians scored one run in the fifth and two in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead, which they held until the bottom of the ninth. With runners on the corners and one out, the Angels brought the game-tying run to the plate, but a sacrifice fly and flyout saw them lose.

Tuesday’s game has a 9:38 ET start time. Gavin Williams (3.72 ERA) is set to get the ball for the Guardians, Walbert Ureña (2.80 ERA) is set to get the ball for the Angels.

The Guardians aren’t the only AL Central team currently fighting for a wild card spot on the west coast. Further up north, the Twins played the Athletics in Sacramento, defeating the basement dwellers 9-6.

Like the Rangers and Guardians, the Twins scored the first run early. Heading into the fifth, it was only a 2-1 game, but the Twins scored two in the fifth, three in the sixth, and two in the eighth to take a 9-1 lead. The Athletics had a late comeback attempt, scoring five runs between the eighth and ninth, but ultimately fell short.

They resume their series on Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, with Taj Bradley (3.90 ERA) getting the ball for the Twins and Gage Jump (4.83 ERA) getting the ball for the Athletics.

Another west coast game saw the Seattle Mariners take down the Philadelphia Phillies thanks to a 9-2 victory. Unlike the other games, the other team opened the scoring, but the Mariners responded with a five-run inning of Zack Wheeler. A three-run home run game courtesy of Cal Raleigh was more than enough for the victory.

Tuesday’s game between the team has the same start time as the Twins’ game. George Kirby (4.18 ERA) is set to start for the Mariners, Aaron Nola (5.12 ERA) is set to start for the Phillies.

The Tigers’ 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays was the lone game that went the Blue Jays’ way on Monday. Their division rivals took a 2-0 lead in the first, made it 3-0 in the fourth, and scored another run in the sixth. The Tigers’ only run came in the bottom of the fourth.

Their game on Tuesday begins at 6:40 PM ET, with Ian Seymour (4.17 ERA) getting the ball for the Rays and Jackson Jobe (4.50 ERA) getting the ball for the Tigers.

Other teams in action on Tuesday

Along with the Blue Jays, the Orioles and Astros are set to play their series opener on Tuesday.

The Jays will welcome the red-hot Kansas City Royals, who are on an eight-game winning streak. Max Scherzer (7.40 ERA) is set to start against Seth Lugo (4.71 ERA), with the game beginning at its usual 7:07 PM ET start time.

As for the Orioles, they begin a series against the St. Louis Cardinals with former Blue Jay Chris Bassitt (5.08 ERA) on the mound. The Astros are playing an American League East team, the New York Yankees, in The Bronx. Ethan Pecko (4.91 ERA) is set to start for the Astros opposed by Will Warren (4.43 ERA).

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Blue Jays place Shane Bieber on 15-day injured list, recall Chad Dallas

Ian Finlayson — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:15:09 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays’ starting rotation took another sizeable hit on Tuesday.

A few hours before the game, the team announced that Shane Bieber has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right teres major inflammation, retroactive to August 21st. Taking his place on the 26-man roster is Chad Dallas, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in the corresponding move.

ROSTER MOVES:

🔹 RHP Chad Dallas recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight

🔹 RHP Shane Bieber (right teres major inflammation) placed on 15-day IL, retroactive to Aug. 21 pic.twitter.com/NEv1w1QN4h

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 25, 2026

Bieber appeared to be rounding into form over his previous two starts, allowing two earned runs over 13 innings while striking out 12 and walking one. The 31-year-old right-hander has pitched to a 4.53 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 24 walks over 55.2 innings after starting his season in June due to right elbow inflammation.

He joins starters Trey Yesavage, José Berríos, Cody Ponce, Jameson Taillon, Patrick Corbin, and Bowden Francis on the injured list. The Blue Jays’ rotation is now down to Dylan Cease, José Soriano, and Max Scherzer, with Spencer Arrighetti, Simeon Woods Richardson and Dallas candidates to also take on either starting or bulk roles.

Despite appearing to have a surplus of starting pitching both at the outset of the season and after the trade deadline — when the Blue Jays tried to run a six-man rotation — attrition quickly set in. Bieber and Yesavage’s seasons were delayed, and Berríos and Ponce lost theirs to injury.

There is now increased pressure on 42-year-old Max Scherzer to stay healthy and keep performing, starting with a game against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. The Blue Jays enter play two games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League wild-card spot and have 17% FanGraphs playoff odds.

Blue Jays 2026 mid-season top prospect list: No. 38 Eric Snow

Ryley Delaney — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 18:45:58 GMT

The Toronto Blue Jays kind of have a thing for contact-oriented infielders.

Back at the 2022 MLB Draft, the Jays selected Josh Kasevich in the second round. With their second pick (third-rounder) in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Blue Jays selected Ryan Cooney. Both players rank on our mid-season update.

One of the less heralded contact-oriented infielders in the system is Eric Snow, selected in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft. Despite that, Snow is one of the fastest-rising position players in the Blue Jays’ farm system in 2026. If you missed our 39th-ranked prospect, we looked at another utility infielder, Nick Goodwin.

Let’s get to know the infielder!

Eric Snow

Position: Infielder

Bats: Right

Born: March 10th, 2004

Acquired: Sixth round, 2025 MLB draft

Previous ranking: Unranked

Snow spent his first two collegiate seasons with South Florida, before transferring to Auburn for the 2025 season, his draft year. Over 57 games, the infielder slashed .307/.403/.493 with eight home runs in 253 plate appearances. He also featured a low K% of 10.3%, something that has translated well as a professional as well.

The 22-year-old’s strong 2025 led to the Blue Jays selecting him 172th overall. Following the draft, he slashed just .237/.308/.301 with no home runs in 104 plate appearances with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays.

Unsurprisingly, he repeated the level to begin the 2026 season, slashing .285/.386/.361 with a home run in 182 plate appearances for a 100 wRC+. Snow’s K% of 17% is the highest he’s had at any level, though he also had a 11.5 BB%.

The infielder earned a promotion to the High-A Vancouver Canadians, where he proceeded to slash .306/.371/.422 with three home runs, along with a higher BB% (10.2%) than K% (9%). Snow’s tenure with Canada’s lone minor league team was a short one, as he was promoted to Double-A after just 167 plate appearances, or 37 games.

His trip to Manchester, New Hampshire hasn’t been great, as he’s slashing just .222/.275/.317 with a home run in 69 plate appearances since joining the Fisher Cats. Snow’s K% has also jumped back up to 15.9%, while his BB% has plummeted to 7.2%, the worst at any level. It’s not unexpected, as the jump from High-A to Double-A is one of the most difficult in the minor leagues.

Snow is the type of player you’d expect to be in the Blue Jays organization. There isn’t a lot of pop in his bat, though he did have a maximum exit velocity of 109.1 mph in Single-A earlier this season. Instead, he relies on making contact, posting great whiff percentages and showcasing good bat-to-ball skills.

The 22-year-old is also a strong defender, capable of playing second base, third base, and shortstop. He profiles best as a utility infielder, similar to both Kasevich and Cooney. Expect Snow to finish the season in Double-A and likely start the 2027 season there as well.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Digging through Blue Jays’ potential September call-ups

Thomas Hall — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 18:00:28 GMT

In exactly one week (Sep. 1), major league rosters will expand from 26 to 28 players, allowing the Toronto Blue Jays to add reinforcements in their pursuit of the final AL wild card seed.

Under the current system for September call-ups, which permits all 30 MLB clubs to promote two players from the minors rather than anyone on the 40-man roster, it’s become commonplace for each team to call up one pitcher and one position player for the regular season’s final month — and expect the Blue Jays’ brass to follow that trend when rosters expand next week.

Players already on the organization’s 40-man roster will, of course, receive consideration over those who aren’t. But that can end up changing, too. As we saw with Trey Yesavage last season, if you’re deemed one of the best 28 players in the system, there’s likely a spot for you in the big leagues.

While there isn’t another Yesavage waiting in the wings at Triple-A this year, here are six players (three hitters and three pitchers each) who could have their name called — either at the start of September or deeper into this stretch run.

Hitters

Sean Keys

Keys, already on Toronto’s 40-man roster after making his MLB debut back in June, appears poised to return to the majors at the start of September. With the way he’s been raking down in Buffalo, the allure of inserting a power bat like his into this lineup will likely outweigh the complications surrounding the fit.

As a corner infielder — who’s hit six home runs and driven in 18 while slashing .394/.512/.758 with a 228 wRC+ (100 league average) over his previous 17 Triple-A games — the 23-year-old’s pathway to consistent at-bats with the Blue Jays remains unclear. As long as both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kazuma Okamoto are healthy, adding Keys to the mix may require freeing up the DH spot more regularly by starting George Springer in the outfield.

But if the left-handed slugger further improves the offence, and by a significant margin, this team might welcome that offence-for-defence trade-off.

Sean Keys, who's homered twice tonight down in Buffalo and is rocking an OPS over 1.000 at AAA, doesn't have the clearest of pathways back to the majors right now…

But I'll be shocked if we don't see him back up here in September. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/ZC9t5gaLP7

— Thomas Hall (@Hall_Thomas_) August 22, 2026

What could complicate the timing of Keys’ return, however, is that Josh Smith (hamstring strain) is eligible to return from the 10-day IL as early as Aug. 30. At that point, if Daz Cameron — responsible for a pair of pivotal ABs on the club’s most recent road trip through Tampa Bay and New York — keeps hold of his roster spot, the club could decide to delay Smith’s activation until Sep. 1, making him their 14th position player.

That would then leave Keys on the outside looking in. That is, unless someone else is subtracted from the roster to make room. Perhaps it ends up being Cameron, who’s out of minor-league options and would be subject to waivers. But that might create an influx of left-handed bats again. So maybe the move becomes swapping a lefty for another lefty, and given Jesús Sánchez’s underwhelming campaign and recent struggles to generate power — he’s slugging just .371 in 15 games since his return from the IL — it’s possible he could be on the chopping block.

Jay Harry

Acquired from the Minnesota Twins’ system in the 2024 Trevor Richards trade, Harry’s development has arguably soared higher than any position player in Toronto’s pipeline this season.

He hit well below the Mendoza Line in 44 games with Double-A New Hampshire last season. Now, the versatile 24-year-old is nearing the conclusion of a breakout year, during which he’s slashed .322/.364/.548 with 13 home runs, 70 RBIs and a 137 wRC+ across 84 games split between Double-A and Triple-A.

If an opportunity arises, the 2023 sixth-round selection could cap off his remarkable year by debuting in The Show.

Had it not been for an IL stint late last month, Harry — who isn’t on the 40-man roster and will become Rule 5-eligible this off-season — might have already been up with the Blue Jays this season. But instead, that right-handed-hitting versatility spot went to Charles McAdoo.

Production-wise, though, it’s been more of the same since Harry returned to Buffalo’s lineup. In four games since being activated, he’s 8-for-19 (.421) with a double, two runs driven in and zero strikeouts. Before he landed on the shelf, it had started to feel like a matter of when, not if, he’d be headed to the majors. All he needs now is an open roster spot.

Josh Kasevich

After being plagued by multiple injuries in 2025, Kasevich has gotten back on track this season, spending the entire campaign at Triple-A, posting a .291 AVG and .369 OBP in 114 games, while also registering nearly as many walks (48) as strikeouts (55). He’s a contact-over-power hitter, gifted with dependable, MLB-ready defence up the middle of the diamond.

Think of Kasevich — who, like Harry, will also be eligible for this winter’s Rule 5 draft — as middle-infield insurance if Ernie Clement or Andrés Giménez requires an IL stint down the stretch. The 25-year-old would be able to step in immediately and serve as a plus defender without losing much, if any, from either Clement or Giménez.

Pitchers

Ricky Tiedemann

It won’t be surprising if Tiedemann becomes the Blue Jays’ 14th pitcher when rosters expand next month.

When the club optioned him back to Triple-A following his long-awaited MLB debut, it was in service of a fresh arm, as the 24-year-old southpaw has been pitching on multiple days of rest between relief appearances in his first post-Tommy John surgery season. So, he wouldn’t have been available for the rest of that Yankees series anyway.

On the other side of that coin, it means he’ll have spent a minimum of 15 days in the minors when Sep. 1 rolls around, permitting his return for the start of next week’s crucial three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians — whose lineup features a pair of talented left-handed bats at the top, Steven Kwan and rookie Chase DeLauter.

Ricky Tiedemann gets his first MLB strikeout!

🎥: Sportsnet | #BlueJays50 pic.twitter.com/SmKWtbq5md

— Blue Jays Nation (@thejaysnation) August 15, 2026

Something to keep in mind here is that Toronto will also need to make room for Joe Mantiply soon, as the rehabbing left-hander inches towards returning from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He’s currently on a rehab assignment, having already made a pair of Single-A appearances and will likely head to Triple-A later this week before rejoining the big-league squad.

So, come Sep. 1, the Blue Jays may be looking to add a pair of lefty relievers to their bullpen. Considering Brendon Little has an option remaining, he could be sent back to Buffalo as the corresponding move.

Daniel Guerra

In terms of development success stories, Guerra’s has relatively snuck under the radar this season in his inaugural campaign as a full-time starter. But now that he’s off to Triple-A, the 22-year-old righty is worth keeping an eye on with the Bisons.

Guerra spent most of the year at High-A, impressing via his 3.20 ERA, 3.50 FIP and 19.7 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%) over 14 starts (59 innings). In a perfect world, he likely would’ve remained a starter upon advancing to Double-A earlier this month. Instead, with his looming fate ahead of this winter’s Rule 5 draft, the organization moved him to the bullpen in hopes of advancing his major-league timeline — and after only three appearances with New Hampshire, striking out nine of the 16 batters he faced and issuing just one walk, his stuff will now be tested against Triple-A hitters.

Standing 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, Guerra — featuring a mid-90s four-seamer, low-80s slider and mid-80s cutter as the main components of his six-pitch arsenal — possesses plenty of intriguing swing-and-miss potential in the bullpen. If he can throw enough strikes with Buffalo, a late-season showcase in Toronto likely isn’t out of the question.

Josh Stephan

Through three post-trade starts, Stephan — sent to the Blue Jays along with Smith from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Adam Macko — has enjoyed two intriguing, upside-potential performances and one rough outing since joining Buffalo’s rotation.

In his first and third starts as a Bison, the 24-year-old righty — another Rule 5-eligible candidate — allowed two earned runs each with 12 strikeouts and one walk (plus a hit-by-pitch) across 13 combined innings. His second, however, is where things went off the rails, surrendering eight runs (all earned) on eight hits, four walks and only three punchouts.

Keeping balls in the yard is critical for Stephan’s success, especially considering he pitched to a 1.78 HR/9 and an 18.9 per cent home run to fly ball ratio in 21 games with Texas’ Triple-A affiliate prior to the trade deadline. Still, based on the length he’s provided thus far, logging five innings or more in all three post-trade starts, he presents more of a traditional starting option with Toronto’s rotation down to four healthy starters again.

PRESENTED BY THE PERFECT 9 COLLECTION

Blue Jays prospect Jake Casey wins Northwest League Player of the Week

Michael Coyle — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:31:44 GMT

Jake Casey’s big week with High-A Vancouver has earned him some recognition.

On Monday, Casey was awarded Northwest League Player of the Week after batting .391 with three doubles, four home runs and 13 RBIs across a six-game span.

Across 46 games with the Canadians this season, Casey is now batting .242 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs. After turning in a week with an OPS of 1.488, the 23-year-old now holds an .877 OPS across his 161 at-bats. Casey has produced an on-base percentage of .374 to this point and has shown his ability to swipe a base, highlighted by nine steals in 11 attempts.

The Toronto Blue Jays selected the outfielder – son of former big-leaguer Sean Casey – in the 15th round, 442nd overall during the 2025 MLB draft out of Kent State University. Casey was assigned to Single-A Dunedin to begin his professional career.

Jake RAKED this week 🚜

Jake Casey is your NWL Player of the Week after mashing 4 homers and driving in 13 RBI during the road trip. Congrats, Jake! pic.twitter.com/kxS5jEfrOs

— Vancouver Canadians (@vancanadians) August 24, 2026

In 23 games with Dunedin to close out the 2025 season, Casey batted .281 with three home runs and 14 RBIs. The outfielder was not overmatched, driving three doubles, two triples, and walked 10 times across his first 64 professional at-bats to post an OBP of .439.

Now listed as the Blue Jays’ No. 26-ranked prospect, Casey’s strong 2026 campaign has put him on the map as a player to receive consideration to join Double-A New Hampshire either before this year comes to a close or to start 2027.

Sponsored by bet365

2 Blue Jays prospects promoted to High-A Vancouver

Michael Coyle — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:21:36 GMT

The steady parade of players being promoted within the Toronto Blue Jays organization continued on Monday.

Both right-hander Dax Dathe and infielder Dameury Pena earned themselves promotions from Single-A Dunedin to High-A Vancouver to join the Canadians.

After spending four seasons in the NCAA, Dathe was signed by the Blue Jays as an undrafted free agent after pitching in 12 games with Louisiana State University.

Signed to a minor-league contract on July 17 and assigned to Dunedin, Dathe tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts on July 29 during his first career professional outing.

Through six games pitched with Dunedin this season, Dathe recorded a 3.52 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. The 25-year-old has recorded two saves in two opportunities and has struck out 15 batters across his 7.2 innings pitched.

BC BOUND📈

RHP Dax Dathe has been promoted to High-A @vancanadians! pic.twitter.com/W0IuAFgss6

— Dunedin Blue Jays (@DunedinBlueJays) August 24, 2026

Pena is being promoted to Vancouver after a strong 12-game stint with Dunedin. Acquired as part of the return from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Jeff Hoffman, Pena batted .318 with four RBIs and reached base at a .388 clip.

Across three different teams this season between both Single-A and High-A, Pena has appeared in 95 games and is batting .302 with one home run and 51 RBIs. Pena has reached base at a .374 clip and has stolen 22 bases in 33 attempts this year.

Sponsored by bet365