logo
3 things the Blue Jays need to do to get back on track in May
alt
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ben Wrixon
Apr 30, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 30, 2026, 14:13 EDT
Comments
The reigning American League champion Toronto Blue Jays are heading into the final game of April with a 14-16 record, but can add another win before May comes around in their game tonight against the Minnesota Twins.
After winning all three games they played in March, the Blue Jays endured a frustrating month full of injuries and underperformance that ultimately proved too much for them to handle at times. Fortunately, things are trending in the right direction after three straight series wins.
Here are three things the Blue Jays need to do to turn things around in May: 

1: Keep Getting Healthier

At one point in April, the Blue Jays had what felt like a full team’s worth of players on the injured list. The good news is that things are trending upwards on the health front. 
Trey Yesavage pitched well in his season debut against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night. George Springer is back. José Berríos and Addison Barger are close to returning. These are meaningful reinforcements, and more could be coming later this month in Alejandro Kirk and Nathan Lukes. 
The Blue Jays just need to avoid further injuries until they arrive. Hopefully, all the bad injury luck is out of their system, and the group can find a way to stay healthy. 

2: Get Length From the Starting Pitchers

The Blue Jays’ starting pitchers have struggled to pitch deep in games. That’s partly attributable to the team’s patchwork rotation amid all its injuries, but the healthy guys haven’t been consistent in this regard outside of good old Kevin Gausman. 
Dylan Cease needs to be more efficient. He battled through six innings in his most recent start against the Boston Red Sox despite up-and-down results, which was encouraging after several shorter outings. He, Yesavage, and Berríos—when he returns—need to use their entire arsenals to get quick outs. 
The back end of the Blue Jays’ bullpen is great, but it could get overworked if every starter is going five innings at most. Some longer outings will be necessary for this team to take flight in May. 

3: Build an Offensive Identity

The 2025 Toronto Blue Jays had a clear offensive plan: work the starting pitcher with tough at-bats to get them out early, then feast on the bullpen. This year’s team hasn’t yet shown such a defined approach. 
This lack of an identity goes deeper than all the injuries, as this team has generally lacked cohesion as an offensive unit. There hasn’t been a noticeable flow between at-bats like there was so often last season. It’s what made the 2025 team so great, and something this year’s squad needs to rediscover regardless of who is in the lineup. 
What kind of offence does this group want to be? They need to figure that out in May and start imposing their plan on opposing pitchers. Getting several regulars back will certainly help, but it’s also on Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kazuma Okamoto and company to feed into this as well. 

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.
Editorials

Breaking News