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Who is on the roster bubble when players on the IL return to the Blue Jays?
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Photo credit: © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Matthew Spagnuolo
May 18, 2026, 17:00 EDTUpdated: May 18, 2026, 16:34 EDT
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In the major leagues, things change quite quickly when you least expect them. The Toronto Blue Jays have learned that the hard way in 2026.
For example, Addison Barger coming off the IL one day and then getting injured again the next is something you cannot predict. What you can predict, however, is which players could become roster casualties once others return to full health.
With Barger and Nathan Lukes expected to be on the IL for short stints, many are speculating about the corresponding roster moves that will follow. Add in injuries to players like Tommy Nance, and the roster is constantly shifting, while the organization’s depth no longer looks as strong as it did heading into 2026.
Let’s take a closer look at who could end up being the odd men out.

Adam Macko

Let’s start with a player who will likely be sent back down once the roster gets healthier: Adam Macko. The 25-year-old Canadian was officially called up on Sunday morning ahead of the season finale against the Detroit Tigers after Nance was placed on the 15-day IL with forearm soreness.
Macko was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Seattle Mariners in the Teoscar Hernández trade during the winter of 2022, a deal that also brought reliever Erik Swanson to Toronto. In 13 games with Triple-A Buffalo this season, Macko has posted a 4.50 ERA across 18 innings while striking out 19 batters. He also represented Team Canada at the recent World Baseball Classic, recording four strikeouts across 2 1/3 innings in three appearances. Macko currently ranks as the organization’s No. 21 prospect entering 2026, though injuries have caused him to slide down the depth chart in recent years.
When healthy, Macko features a fastball that reaches 95 mph, along with a curveball, slider, and changeup, allowing him to work multiple innings effectively. His curveball and slider generate plenty of swings and misses, and with continued refinement to his delivery, he has shown the potential to provide quality innings either as a starter or reliever.
At the moment, Macko is the third left-handed option in the bullpen behind Mason Fluharty and Joe Mantiply, both of whom still have minor-league options remaining. Because of that, Macko’s current stint with the club may simply be a short-term showcase before he returns to Triple-A for further development.

Davis Schneider

This is the move many fans feel is inevitable at this point. As beloved as Davis Schneider has become in Toronto, he has gradually lost his momentum and has been pushed into a more limited role. Schneider has struck out 26 times this season, tied with Andrés Giménez for the fourth-most on the roster despite playing 10 fewer games.
While Schneider is slashing just .145/.321/.242, he has recorded four extra-base hits all season. There is no denying how important he has been to the club dating back to his breakout debut in 2023, but with the team placing more emphasis on immediate results, his roster spot could be in jeopardy.
Schneider still has one minor-league option remaining, and now may be the right time to use it before things spiral further. When he was sent down in April 2024 before returning in June, Schneider rebounded significantly, improving from a .067 average with just one hit to batting .257 with a home run, two doubles, and six RBIs over 14 games in June.
A reset could once again benefit him, even if it feels harsh for a player with nearly 300 career MLB games. Sometimes, hitting rock bottom is what sparks a turnaround.

Tyler Heineman

With the emergence of Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate and Alejandro Kirk stepping up his rehab production, it increasingly feels like Tyler Heineman’s days with the club may be numbered.
While the veteran catcher showed strong defensive instincts Saturday against Detroit by throwing out two runners attempting to steal second base, his offensive struggles have become difficult to ignore.
Across 60 at-bats this season, Heineman has yet to record an extra-base hit and owns a paltry on-base percentage of .197. He has also accumulated only nine total bases, the fewest on the active roster. Manager John Schneider already removed Heineman from the lineup once earlier this season due to a ‘manager’s decision’ following a poor bases-loaded at-bat against the Minnesota Twins.
At 35 years old and with years of journeyman experience behind him, Heineman likely understands that the writing may be on the wall. Similar to how Eric Lauer was designated for assignment a week ago, Heineman could be headed toward a comparable fate.
While the easy move would be optioning Valenzuela back to the minors, that becomes difficult to justify if the rookie continues to contribute at the big league level on a regular basis. Tough roster decisions are never easy, but sometimes they are necessary for the organization’s long-term success.

Yohendrick Pinango

Let me preface this by saying that not a single person in the Blue Jays fanbase wants Yohendrick Pinango off the roster anytime soon. Pinango has quickly become one of the club’s most important hitters. Across 16 games during May, he is hitting for a .333 average with one home run and seven RBIs. For a team that has struggled offensively throughout much of the season, Pinango has been one of the brightest spots thanks to his ability to make hard contact and drive in runs. He also owns the second-highest line-drive percentage on the roster behind only Daulton Varsho and fellow rookie Brandon Valenzuela.
Pinango has already produced more hits than utility players such as Lenyn Sosa, Davis Schneider, and Tyler Heineman, proving that his bat deserves a regular role in the lineup.
Unfortunately, roster logistics may ultimately work against him. Pinango has already used one of his minor-league options, meaning the organization can move him between Toronto and Triple-A freely for the rest of the season.
As a rookie, additional development time could still benefit him, but do the Blue Jays really want to risk removing one of their hottest bats while every game matters? Considering fate already brought Pinango back to the majors just one day after being optioned, perhaps it is a sign that the 24-year-old is here to stay for a while.

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