If Addison Barger (elbow) keeps progressing, could get in rehab games this weekend or early next week. #BlueJays initially hoped it'd be a short stay on the IL for him, but it's been 5 weeks now. The initial downtime and ramp up have both been slower than Jays expected
Blue Jays: Addison Barger and Lenyn Sosa closing in on rehab assignments
Photo credit: © John Froschauer-Imagn Images
Jun 18, 2026, 14:01 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays’ roster is slowly fighting its way back to full strength as the halfway point of the 2026 MLB regular season approaches.
Speaking to the media before Thursday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox, Blue Jays manager John Schneider provided an update on both Addison Barger and Lenyn Sosa.
Barger’s 2026 season has been a frustrating one to this point. The 26-year-old originally injured both ankles on April 5 during a 3-0 loss against the Chicago White Sox and ended up being placed on the injured list a few days later.
After spending over a month on the IL, Barger returned on Friday, May 8 and subsequently injured his elbow while throwing out Jorge Soler at the plate and returned to the 10-day IL on May 11 with right elbow inflammation. At the time, the Blue Jays thought Barger’s time on the IL would be relatively short, but the ailment has now cost Barger the past 37 games and counting.
If Barger continues on the path he’s on, the plan is for the outfielder to appear in rehab games this weekend or early next week. Through nine games this season, Barger has gone 1-for-22 with two RBIs but is coming off a breakout season during 2025, where he blasted 21 home runs during the regular season.
Sosa, who was placed on the 10-day IL with right wrist contusion on May 28, remains further behind than Barger. Sosa was hit on the wrist by Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara with an 89.1 MPH cutter but remained in the game before being placed on the IL two days later. Sosa was shut down after experiencing soreness while swinging the bat a few weeks ago, but the goal is for Sosa to appear in a couple of rehab games at some point next week.
The Blue Jays acquired Sosa on April 13 from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for prospect Jordan Rich and a player to be named later or cash considerations. At the time, Sosa was batting only batting .212, but the Blue Jays hoped that he could unlock the success he had in 2025 when he hit .264 with 22 home runs.
Over 28 games with the Blue Jays this season, Sosa has struggled mightily. The 26-year-old is batting .188 with one home run and six RBIs and has only been able to draw one walk across his 84 plate appearances.
With no options remaining on his contract and the Blue Jays’ roster getting healthier, Sosa could be a long shot to receive another opportunity with the big-league club in Toronto.
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