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Blue Jays: Manager John Schneider confirms rotation order to start 2026 season
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Photo credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Mar 21, 2026, 13:15 EDTUpdated: Mar 21, 2026, 16:06 EDT
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It looks like the Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation is set to begin the season.
About a week ago, it was announced that Kevin Gausman would be the team’s Opening Day starter. It’s the first time in a Blue Jays uniform he’ll start opening day, as José Berríos made the Opening Day start in 2025.
Well, the rest of the rest of the rotation has been decided as well, as John Schneider announced that Dylan Cease will follow Gausman, then Eric Lauer, Cody Ponce, and finally, Max Scherzer.
Gausman, Cease, and Lauer will start the three games against the Athletics, while Ponce and Scherzer’s first start will be against the Colorado Rockies. The way the rotation is set up, Scherzer will start the first game against the Dodgers on April 6th, followed by Gausman and Cease.
Of course, this is just what the rotation will look like to begin the season, because as you likely know, a handful of starters will begin the season on the injured list. The other day, rookie sensation Trey Yesavage was placed on the IL due to shoulder impingement. Shane Bieber has had forearm fatigue and will miss the start of the season, and Berríos has a stress fracture in his right elbow.
One area of strength coming into Spring Training was the Blue Jays starting pitching depth, and before the season even begins, it’ll be tested. It doesn’t help that their former top prospect, Ricky Tiedemann, was shut down with an injury early in Spring Training.
As for options in the minor leagues, the Jays could find some length from Adam Macko and Lázaro Estrada, as both players are on the team’s 40-man roster. Any other option would likely have to be added to the 40-man roster, unless they turn to either Angel Bastardo or Spencer Miles.
Although their starting pitching depth is already being tested, the Blue Jays’ rotation is still an area of strength, especially if Lauer pitches like he did in 2025 and Ponce’s success translates in Major League Baseball. Hopefully, reinforcements come sooner rather than later.
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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