While the Toronto Blue Jays are starting to get many of their injured players back from the sidelines, they’re still waiting on Addison Barger.

Barger has only played nine games for the Blue Jays in 2026. He injured both his ankles during the Blue Jays’ series against the Chicago White Sox and didn’t return to the lineup until May 9 against the Los Angeles Angels. In his first game back, he threw out Jorge Soler at home with a 101.2 mph throw from right field. However, after that game, he experienced right elbow inflammation and was placed on the IL again.

Barger has begun a hitting and throwing progression in Dunedin. There’s no word yet on when he will begin a rehab assignment. When that does happen, the Blue Jays may have a difficult decision ahead of them on who to drop to make space for Barger in the Blue Jays lineup.

When Barger first returned from the IL, Yohendrick Piñango was sent down to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. It was a controversial move at the time because of how well Piñango performed when he was called up after Nathan Lukes went on the IL with a hamstring strain. In his first 10 games with the Blue Jays, Piñango slashed .423/.444/.462. For a team that has struggled offensively, it seemed puzzling to send down a player who was performing.

Piñango didn’t stay in Triple-A long, as he was called up to the Blue Jays again when Barger went back on the IL. Piñango continue to perform offensively, causing the team to keep him on the MLB roster once Lukes returned from the IL. Instead, the Blue Jays sent down Davis Schneider after a difficult start to the season during which he slashed .127/.295/.211.

Piñango has continued to contribute to the Blue Jays offensively. In 38 games, he’s slashing .296/.331/.443 with four home runs and 18 RBIs.

Piñango has done his job as an injury replacement for the Blue Jays, but he may still find himself as the odd man out once Barger returns. The Blue Jays have an overflow of outfielders, between Barger, Piñango, Lukes, Schneider, Daulton Varsho, Myles Straw, and Jesus Sanchez. Barger, Piñango, Schneider, and Lukes are the ones who have options.

There’s basically no chance that the Blue Jays will option Lukes. He’s slashing .309/.358/.391 on the season despite a disastrous start to the year due to vertigo. Lukes was one of the key players for the Blue Jays during their run to the World Series in 2025, and he has been one of the most productive hitters since he returned from the IL.

As strong as Piñango has been, he hasn’t performed well enough to warrant DFA’ing one of the Blue Jays’ other outfielders.

Unlike Piñango and Sanchez, Straw can play all three outfield positions. That’s especially important now that Varsho is on the IL with left wrist inflammation. Straw is slashing .248/.314/.339 in 2026, which is pretty much on par with his career stats. Most of his value comes from his defence, but he has had solid offensive production.

Sanchez has the worst Fielding Run Value (FRV) on the team at -5. However, he has been having a strong season at the plate. Sanchez has done his job against right-handed arms and owns a .805 OPS on the season, as well as being tied for second on the team with seven home runs.

While Sanchez’s defence is a weakness, the same can be said about Piñango. Piñango has -3 FRV and -2 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). With both players putting up similar numbers offensively while struggling defensively, it’s probably not worth losing Sanchez to keep Piñango. Further, optioning Piñango would allow him to continue to develop his defence.

Varsho going on the IL may keep Piñango on the Blue Jays roster a little longer. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays recalled Schneider.

Schneider had been struggling before being sent down to the Bisons. He similarly struggled to make contact with the Bisons, posting a .188 average with six hits and four RBIs in 14 games. However, he did have a staggering .550 OBP because he walked 24 times.

If Schneider’s offensive struggles continue in his return to the Blue Jays, he’ll likely be sent down before Piñango when either Varsho or Barger returns from the IL. That being said, Piñango would probably be the next player to be sent down once both Varsho and Barger are back.

Across nine games, Barger mustered just one hit. However, his performance in 2025 showed how valuable he can be to the Blue Jays when he’s healthy. If he can regain his 2025 form upon his return, his bat will be a big boost to the Blue Jays.

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