Ross Atkins on potential rotation help: Jake Bloss - “he's still in that roughly 13 month phase.. not a time to push, it's a time to ensure that he's taking the next safe step.” Simeon Woods Richardson - “Absolutely.. arsenal is very much there.. competitiveness is there.”
Ross Atkins highlights starting pitching as Blue Jays’ biggest need ahead of trade deadline
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Jun 23, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 23, 2026, 18:03 EDT
The midway point of the 2026 season is just around the corner.
Before Tuesday afternoon’s game against the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays general manager spoke to the media. He addressed the Blue Jays’ needs before August 3rd’s trade deadline, updates regarding prospects, and information regarding Anthony Santander.
Let’s dig into the notables of Atkins’ media availability.
Biggest trade deadline need is starting pitching
The biggest piece of news coming from the media availability is Atkins noting that the team’s biggest need before the trade deadline is starting pitching.
Imagine thinking that all the way back in March after they signed Max Scherzer. At that point Scherzer was the eighth starter signed, but Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and José Berríos began the season on the injured list.
Those three were joined on the IL by Cody Ponce and Scherzer in April, all while Eric Lauer struggled to begin the season. That forced the Blue Jays to sign Patrick Corbin, while Yesavage eventually re-joined the team, as did Bieber ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Right now, the Jays’ rotation consists of Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Yesavage, Corbin, and now Bieber. Corbin is the odd-man out if they acquire a starter before the deadline.
The big question is who? Tarik Skubal is the best starter who could be available, but he’s set to become a free agent at the end of the season and will command a king’s ransom. Since taking over, Atkins hasn’t made that type of trade, instead acquiring controllable starters. Could a player like Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins be of interest?
It’s worth noting that with how tight the standings are, it’ll be a seller’s market, something that Atkins alluded to as well.
Prospect update
There are two pitching prospects who could factor into their plans in the second half of the season. Both Ricky Tiedemann and Jake Bloss are both building up after recovering from Tommy John surgery, with Bloss closer to a return.
That said, Atkins didn’t put a time line on when Bloss could be a factor, and noted that Tiedemann will need a few “effective” weeks as well. This season, Bloss has a 3.80 ERA and 4.74 FIP in 23.2 innings over seven starts in the minor leagues.
As for Tiedemann, the left-handed pitcher missed most of the 2024 and all of the 2025 season, only making his 2026 debut in the past few weeks. Over two innings with the Florida Complex League Blue Jays, he has a 4.50 ERA, but a 0.15 FIP in two starts. He could be a bullpen option down the stretch.
Atkins also fielded a question about Sean Keys, noting that if he’s good enough, there’s a spot despite the lack of defensive versatility. So far this season, Keys is slashing .284/.411/.595 with an organization-leading 18 home runs in 270 plate appearances split between Double-A and Triple-A.
Sean Keys is hitting .284/.411/.595 with 18 HR in the upper minors of Jays' system. LH hitting 1B/3B was a 4th rd pick in '24 Asked about Keys, Ross Atkins said "There's always a place for really good offensive players & the more versatility you have on your roster, the better”
Keys fit on the 26-man roster is tough. For starters, he’s a left-handed hitter, with the Blue Jays already having a boatload of LHB. He also only plays first and third base, which is blocked by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kazuma Okamoto respectively.
Anthony Santander
One reason why a big bat isn’t the top need before the 2026 trade deadline is the possible return of Anthony Santander. Last week, it was reported that Anthony Santander could resume hitting this week and on Tuesday, Atkins noted that he’s turned a corner.
Anthony Santander has “turned a corner in the last couple weeks” per Ross Atkins. Jays are optimistic that Santander will return to baseball activity soon. Next steps “will be then dictated on how his recovery is on swinging.”
Santander was one of the best power-hitters in Major League Baseball in 2024, slashing .235/.309/.506 with 44 home runs in 665 plate appearances with the Baltimore Orioles. Signing with the Blue Jays in the 2024/25 off-season, Santander slashed just .175/.271/.294 with six home runs in 221 plate appearances, missing most of the season due to injury.
Getting Santander back in the lineup, particularly the 2022-2024 version of the switch-hitter, would be huge for the Blue Jays. He’s missed all of this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in January. An August return isn’t out of the question.
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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