Jonatan Clase provided a brief spark to Blue Jays’ lineup before injury cut 2026 campaign short

Photo credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

By Michael Coyle

Nov 14, 2026, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 13, 2026, 14:34 EST

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The Toronto Blue Jays’ offence felt lifeless for much of the 2026 campaign.

When the season was all said and done, the Blue Jays finished with the fewest runs and home runs in the majors, a big factor leading to their 79-83 record.

While his impact was brief, outfielder Jonatan Clase gave the Blue Jays a much-needed spark in July before seeing his year come to a close due to injury.

How the year went

After appearing in 14 games with the Blue Jays during spring training, Clase was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the 2026 campaign. Unfortunately for Clase, he began the season by going 5-for-31 over his first nine games before being placed on the injured list.

After missing one month, Clase returned, but he struggled mightily, highlighted by a .185 average with only one home run and one RBI to show across 20 games. Where Clase did make an impact was by using his legs as the outfielder picked up six steals in seven attempts.

As the calendar flipped to June, Clase displayed more of the form he’s shown throughout his career, batting .273 with a .340 on-base percentage, while slugging three home runs and 14 RBIs over 88 at-bats.

After Clase’s strong month, he was rewarded with a recall from Triple-A Buffalo on July 1, as the Blue Jays placed George Springer on the paternity list. After receiving only one at-bat over the next five Blue Jays games, Clase was tasked with his first start of the season July 7 against the San Francisco Giants.

In his first at-bat of the contest, Clase got ahead in the count 2-0 on Giants right-hander Trevor McDonald before slugging a slider 362 feet over the right field wall for a three-run home run. Clase singled in his next plate appearance, finishing the night by going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

During the Blue Jays’ next series against the San Diego Padres, Clase was in the starting lineup for all three games, and rewarded manager John Schneider’s decision by going 4-for-9 with one home run, three RBIs, and two walks.

In the Blue Jays’ first series following the all-star break, Clase went 0-for-5 before being scratched from the lineup on July 21 prior to a contest against the Tampa Bay Rays. A day later, Clase was placed on the 10-day injured list with left plantar fasciitis.

The 24-year-old was eventually transferred to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Michael Lorenzen, a move that ultimately ended Clase’s 2026 season. Across nine games, Clase batted .273 with two home runs, six RBIs, and a .360 on-base percentage.

After being acquired by the Blue Jays on July 26, 2024, from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Yimi García, Clase has 50 games with Toronto over parts of three seasons and holds a .239 average with five home runs and 17 RBIs.

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