logo
Blue Jays’ 2026 outlook leaves little room for Lenyn Sosa
alt
Photo credit: © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Ben Wrixon
Jun 22, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 22, 2026, 16:26 EDT
Comments
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider recently provided positive injury updates on two of the team’s position players who are currently sidelined, revealing that both Addison Barger and Lenyn Sosa were closing in on rehab assignments. 
Barger will be welcomed with open arms upon his return—he was the team’s cleanup hitter on Opening Day, after all. The Blue Jays’ lineup has sorely missed his power bat.
The same can’t be said for Sosa, who was officially assigned to the Florida Complex League on Monday to begin his rehab stint. He was an unmitigated disaster at the plate after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the middle of April. 
Sosa owns a .188/.205/.275 slash line through 84 plate appearances as a Blue Jay, walking just once while striking out 18 times. He’s performed roughly 70% worse than a league-average hitter at the plate in 2026 by wRC+ (30) and OPS+ (33), albeit with a smaller sample size. 
The Blue Jays brought Sosa in hoping he could replicate his production from last season when he hit 22 home runs with a far more respectable .727 OPS (101 OPS+). He was particularly effective against left-handed pitching, which remains an area of need. 
Unfortunately, opposing pitchers seem to have figured Sosa out, and he didn’t make the necessary counter-adjustments before finding himself on the IL. Their plan of attack to get him out is painfully simple: don’t throw him strikes because he swings at everything. The eye test absolutely supports his astronomical 50% chase rate at pitches outside the zone.
Sosa’s ability to play multiple infield positions was also seen as an asset on paper when the Blue Jays acquired him. Versatility is only valuable if said player contributes to winning at multiple spots. 
The challenge for the Blue Jays from a roster management standpoint is that Sosa does not have any minor league options. They will either have to reinstate him when his IL stint is complete or, more likely, designate him for assignment and risk losing him entirely. 
DFA’ing a player just a few months after trading for them is never a great look for a general manager. Sosa’s poor play has forced Ross Atkins’ hand, however, as choosing to keep him around over someone like Davis Schneider would be inexcusable. 
The Blue Jays’ recent acquisition of Luis Urías and subsequent promotion to the big league squad on Monday might be foreshadowing the front office’s plans for Sosa, given how they overlap as right-handed hitting infielders. Urías was raking in the minor leagues and isn’t too far removed from a solid two-year stretch with the Milwaukee Brewers. 
While the Blue Jays won’t make anything official with Sosa until they absolutely have to, his time in Toronto is likely over—and that’s for the best based on how it went.

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
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News