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Instant Reaction: Kazuma Okamoto hits first home run in Blue Jays’ 4-3 loss to Mets
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Photo credit: © Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Feb 23, 2026, 16:15 ESTUpdated: Feb 23, 2026, 16:36 EST
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It hasn’t been a great start to the Toronto Blue Jays’ Spring Training.
On Monday afternoon, the Blue Jays hosted the New York Mets in Dunedin, falling 4-3 to move their Spring Training record to 1-2 after an 11-10 loss on Sunday afternoon. Let’s take a look at what went on in this game.
The biggest bright spot of the game for the Blue Jays came in the bottom of the second. After an Alejandro Kirk ground out, Addison Barger drew a six-pitch walk, overcoming a 0-2 count. That brought up Kazuma Okamoto. On the fourth pitch of his first at bat, the Jays’ third baseman hit a home run to dead centre, ending up with an estimated distance of 431 feet, off the bat at 103.4 mph.
In the top of the third, José Berríos ran into some trouble, allowing Jackson Cluff to single, then steal second. Nick Morabito singled to drive that run in, stole second, then was driven in thanks to an MJ Melendez double to tie the game at two.
The game remained at two until the Blue Jays subbed off all their starters. Replacing Mason Fluharty, Jorge Alcala gave up a lead-off double to Ronny Mauicio, then Jared Young walked to put two runners on. Alcala got two outs, with Vidal Bruján replacing Ryan Clifford on the bases. Bruján attempted to steal second, with Blue Jays’ catcher C.J. Stubbs committed an error to allow Jacob Reimer to score.
In the top of the seventh, Cristian Pache hit a lead-off home run to make it a 4-2 game for the Mets. Down to three outs to avoid the two-game losing streak, Geovanny Plachart led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk. RJ Schreck hit a double off a left-handed pitcher to put two runners into scoring position, and Charles McAdoo drove in Planchart with an RBI single. With runners on the corners with no outs, Eloy Jiménez struck out, then Jay Harry hit into a double play to end the game.

Takeaways….

Kazuma Okamoto looks like the real deal. The other day, he showed off a strong arm and nice defensive range on a ground ball in the infield. On Monday, he hit a home run to the deepest part of the park. This signing could work out very well for the Jays.
Another positive from this game was RJ Schreck hitting a double off a left-handed pitcher. The lefty will likely start his season in Triple-A, but with a hot start, could force the Blue Jays’ hands to add him to the 40-man roster.
José Berríos made the start, going two and two-thirds innings with two earned runs allowed and two strikeouts. On a cold day, it isn’t too surprising to see Berríos’ fastball velocity down, as he averaged 91.2 mph on the sinker and 91.9 mph on his four-seamer. The right-handed pitcher generated five whiffs on 23 total swings.
Two relievers who were a part of the 2025 team, pitched in this game: Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty. The former struck out two, walked a batter, and allowed a hit in a scoreless inning. Fluharty had more success, striking out two of the three batters that he faced.
Starting pitching prospect Chad Dallas made his first game-action appearance since the summer of 2024, and oh boy did he look solid. In an inning and two-thirds, the 25-year-old struck out four, generating six whiffs on 13 total swings, with a fastball that topped out at about 93 mph. Good to see him back in action, as he could make his big league debut later this year.
The Blue Jays are back in action on Tuesday against the New York Yankees, with a start time of 1:07 PM ET. Tomorrow’s starter is yet to be determined.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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