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Blue Jays injury news: Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber will throw this week, Nathan Lukes begin rehab assignment
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Photo credit: © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
May 18, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: May 18, 2026, 18:07 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays got some positive news recently.
Before Monday’s series opener against the New York Yankees, manager John Schneider spoke to the media giving an update about several players on the injured list.
One area of depth that has been eviscerated less than two months into the 2026 season is starting pitching. Shane Bieber, José Berríos, and Trey Yesavage began the season on the injured list, with Cody Ponce joining them shortly after. Additionally, Max Scherzer was placed on the IL after five games.
Yesavage has returned, while Berríos will undergo surgery on Wednesday after four rehab starts. Bieber throws another bullpen day on Tuesday, signaling that he could be back at some point in the relative future. Moreover, Scherzer threw 22 pitches in his side sessions and will be back throwing in two days.
For now, it appears that the Blue Jays will have a bullpen game every five starts, with 2025 Rule 5 selection, Spencer Miles, expected to pitch the bulk of the innings like he did on Saturday. That said, getting Bieber and Scherzer back will be huge for not just their rotation, but for saving their bullpen as well.
The Jays have been without Alejandro Kirk for over a month and a half at this point, as he suffered a fractured thumb in an early April matchup against the Chicago White Sox. Kirk has been catching, but still hasn’t hit in batting practice and a timeframe for when he begins rehab games will come later.
As for their two outfielders (not named Anthony Santander) on the injured list, Addison Barger could return to hitting on Tuesday if his follow up goes well. Nathan Lukes will begin a rehab assignment in Single-A when the Dunedin Blue Jays begin their six-game series against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Tuesday.
That’s a lot of positive news for a team that desperately needs something to get going. Both Barger and Kirk were injured in the Blue Jays’ series against the White Sox in early April. Barger briefly returned, before once again landing on the 10-day injured list due to elbow soreness. 
Brandon Valenzuela was called up to replace Kirk and has done an admirable job behind the plate, but getting one of the best catchers in MLB back would be huge for the Jays. The Jays will need to make a decision on who to send down when Kirk returns, because Valenzuela has clearly shown he deserves the backup job.
Then for their rotation, the Jays came into 2026 with eight starters signed, but have yet to have their full expected rotation. Bieber’s return in particular would be huge for the team, especially if he can pitch like he did last postseason. Perhaps he can even return to his pre-Tommy John surgery form.
The Jays sit 21-25, nine and a half games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first in the American League East, but just a game behind the final wild card spot. They have a massive four-game series against the New York Yankees beginning on Monday.
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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