The Toronto Blue Jays are unlikely to repeat as Grapefruit League champions this spring, and as players return from the World Baseball Classic, the roster is slowly taking shape.

The club has started trimming some of the non-roster invitees over the past week, including mostly the group of prospects who played while the main group was away at the WBC, but likely weren’t making the big league squad. There will be some more cuts as the schedule starts to wind down, with a few battles remaining on the roster. The bench and bullpen are the biggest areas, and there is likely still a question mark remaining for the last spot in the rotation, while those on the outside are heading to the relief corps for the time being.

With five games remaining on the schedule, here are five players who potentially need to have a big week to help out their case for the big league roster.

It’s been a tough spring for Davis Schneider.

The right-handed bat has just three hits through 14 games and 29 at-bats and owns a .392 OPS as Spring Training enters the final week. He hasn’t collected an extra base hit and has just two RBIs to his credit while getting considerable playing time with others being off at the WBC. One thing going for Schneider is that his eye at the plate is still top-notch, boasting an even seven walks and seven K’s and will likely benefit from the ABS program that is entering the 2026 season.

With minor league options left and with Jesus Sanchez, Addison Barger, and Nathan Lukes able to play in the outfield, Schneider could begin the campaign in Triple-A Buffalo as he looks to get back on track. He has considerable power when things are working properly, but right now, things are not clicking for the right-handed bat. With options also up the middle to work on the bench, Schneider might benefit from a quick reset down in the minor leagues.

Panamanian Leo Jimenez is a new predicament this spring. The middle infielder has been knocking at the big league door over the past two seasons and has a handful of games to his credit since 2024, to the tune of 208 at-bats through 81 games with a .635 OPS, and enters this spring looking for a big league spot while being out of minor league options. If he doesn’t make the team, the Jays have to DFA him, and he will likely get claimed on waivers.

Jimenez was having a strong spring before he departed for the World Baseball Classic, where he took a step back in the form of zero hits through five at-bats. Back in Dunedin, he had five hits to his credit through 18 at-bats (.278), and while he doesn’t have an extra base hit to his name, he owns a strong .381 OBP with his three walks.

There is a scenario where the battle on the bench comes down to Jimenez and Schneider, and this last week of the spring could be make or break for either player. The business side of the game could keep Jimenez in Toronto to at least start the season, and they could value his glove-first mentality on the bench as a backup middle infielder, giving him a slight advantage over his teammate.

If there was an award for one player who is making the most of the opportunity this spring, Eloy Jimenez is a frontrunner for the honour.

The outfielder has struggled to find playing time in the big leagues over the past two years and spent all of last year in the minor split between the Rays and Blue Jays farm systems. He rejoined the Jays on a MiLB deal this past winter for another opportunity, and he’s been producing at the plate. Across 37 at-bats, the right-handed bat owns a .297/.350/.541 slash line with three doubles, two home runs, and three RBIs while producing a .891 OPS. He’s hitting the ball hard and playing serviceable defence in the corner outfield spots when called upon.

Where the issue lies is not with Jimenez’s production, but more so with the fit. The Jays already have a logjam in the outfield, and with George Springer likely being the club’s DH, there really isn’t a spot for Jimenez for regular playing time. Manager John Schneider might keep Jimenez around because of his plus power from the right side, or he could start the year in Triple-A if he is willing to wait and continue to try to mash and make his case for a callup.

This will likely be the most difficult decision for the club heading into the new season.

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