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Blue Jays spring training notes: José Berríos, Jeff Hoffman, Yimi García, George Springer, Kazuma Okamoto, Ricky Tiedemann, RJ Schreck
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Thomas Hall
Feb 11, 2026, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 11, 2026, 11:56 EST
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On the eve of spring training, the Toronto Blue Jays dropped a major bombshell, revealing that both Anthony Santander (left shoulder surgery) and Shane Bieber (right forearm fatigue) will begin this season on the injured list, with the former set to miss months rather than weeks. They also shared that another blow had been dealt to the club’s rotation depth, as Bowden Francis will miss the entire season once he undergoes Tommy John surgery.
Those stories stole headlines on Tuesday, and understandably so. However, they weren’t the only nuggets of information shared by general manager Ross Atkins and manager John Schneider during the Zoom call held ahead of Day 1 of spring training.

Schneider discusses how Jays have handled Berríos’ World Series absence

Much was made of José Berríos’ decision to leave the Blue Jays during last fall’s World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, after the struggling 31-year-old starter was left off the club’s roster throughout the post-season.
But, as Schneider explained Tuesday, the organization is ready to put that saga behind them this spring.
Schneider admitted that removing Berríos from the rotation late last season and his subsequent absence from the team in October/November could have been “handled a bit differently” in retrospect, adding that both sides have addressed the situation and are ready to move on.
Berríos has held conversations with multiple people within the organization, attempting to clear the air and mend relationships early on in camp. Now, everyone’s main focus is on preparing for the upcoming campaign.
Of course, the situation around Berríos’ role has changed dramatically in the last 24 hours. Previously, the veteran starter would’ve spent this spring competing for the fifth starter’s job alongside Cody Ponce and Eric Lauer. But with Bieber now sidelined through Opening Day, any uncertainty regarding his rotation spot has since been silenced.
As such, it appears Toronto’s projected 2026 rotation now includes Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Berríos and Ponce or Lauer — with those final two also likely competing for the multi-inning reliever role.

Hoffman returns as Jays’ primary closer

Among the other topics covered during Tuesday’s video call, Schneider was also asked about the closer’s role and reaffirmed his belief in Jeff Hoffman as he enters his second season in Toronto, saying he’s “100 per cent confident” in the 33-year-old as his primary ninth-inning guy.
Hoffman, who infamously surrendered the game-tying home run with his team just two outs away from taking Game 7 of the World Series last fall, has been a workhorse in recent years, exceeding his previous career-highs in appearances and innings pitched in each of the last two seasons. But there should be opportunities to preserve his usage more consistently this season.
Having a full season of Louis Varland should certainly help ease the burden on Hoffman’s shoulders in high-leverage situations, as should the return of Yimi García — who, despite enduring consecutive injury-riddled campaigns, aims to be ready for Opening Day — and the off-season addition of Tyler Rogers.

Springer battled multiple ailments in late 2025

The 2025 season was one for the books for George Springer, in more ways than one.
In addition to grinding through knee soreness and an oblique injury suffered during Game 3 of the World Series, Schneider revealed Springer also dealt with right wrist discomfort late last season. That compromised his throwing, preventing the Blue Jays from utilizing him in the outfield throughout the post-season.
But the 36-year-old slugger, who’s coming off a career year at the plate, is fully recovered as he enters camp this spring, as Schneider noted, who also shared that he’ll be another option to play in the outfield this season with Santander out indefinitely.

Okamoto awaiting work visa approval

The Blue Jays also shared a minor note on marquee free-agent acquisition Kazuma Okamoto, who’s still working through the legal process to obtain his work visa, according to Atkins. But the Japanese infielder is expected to report to Dunedin, Fla., at somepoint this weekend.
Technically, all position players participating in next month’s World Baseball Classic must report for spring training no later than Thursday. However, it appears the organization is making an exception with Okamoto’s situation here.

Jays plan to operate cautiously with Tiedemann’s usage

Toronto will stretch out Ricky Tiedemann to multiple innings this spring in his first season post-Tommy John surgery. But the 23-year-old southpaw will likely operate most, if not all, of this year as a single-inning reliever.
The organization intends to monitor Tiedemann’s workload each month throughout the season, making adjustments if needed. He could emerge as a bullpen option for the Blue Jays in the second half, though the talented left-hander — who only threw 17.1 innings in 2024 — must prove he can stay healthy.

Schreck drawing early praise in camp

With Santander sidelined, the switch-hitting outfielder’s absence has kicked the door wide open for a potential development success story to emerge this spring. There are now plenty of at-bats available, and they’re ripe for the taking.
So far, an early contender to stand out in camp may be prospect RJ Schrech, who isn’t on Toronto’s 40-man roster and is likely behind fellow outfielders Joey Loperfido and Jonatan Clase on the depth chart, at least for now, but has already drawn attention from Atkins.
Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider are currently projected to fill Santander’s absence in a platoon role this season. However, there’s now an extra roster spot available — one that’ll be up for grabs between an out-of-options infielder such as Leo Jiménez and an outfield crop that includes Loperfido, Clase, Schreck and Yohendrick Pinango.
Let the internal competition begin.

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