Blue Jays' Anthony Santander: Knocks first homer of camp
Rotowire
Santander went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
The veteran slugger got hold of a Carson Fulmer fastball in the sixth inning and crushed it over the right-field fence. It was Santander's first long ball of the spring, and after racking up a career-high 44 homers and 102 RBI for the O's in 2024, the free-agent signing is being counted on to supply big power numbers this season from the heart of the Blue Jays' order.
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Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Pops first spring homer
Rotowire
Kirk went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
The backstop supplied the Blue Jays with their only run off Mitch Keller through the first four innings, lofting a hanging curve to straightaway center field. It was Kirk's first homer of the spring, but he's been making strong contact so far, going 5-for-15 (.333) through seven appearances. His line-drive swing probably won't ever provide consistent power numbers, but Toronto would be happy if Kirk can supply something close to the .285 batting average and .372 OBP he produced in 2022 over 541 regular-season plate appearances.
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Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Flashes strong velocity Wednesday
Rotowire
Gausman topped out at 96.2 mph with his fastball during his spring debut Wednesday against the Pirates, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. The 34-year-old right-hander walked one and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless, no-hit innings while tossing 23 of 38 pitches for strikes.
Gausman dealt with shoulder trouble last spring that prevented him from getting fully stretched out ahead of Opening Day, and he seemed to be playing catch-up all season with both his velocity and his command on his breaking pitches. Gausman finished with a 3.83 ERA and 21.4 percent strikeout rate -- his worst numbers in those categories since 2019 -- over 181 regular-season innings while averaging just 93.9 mph with his fastball. He spent this winter putting on extra muscle, and it showed in his first Grapefruit League action as he averaged 94.9 mph with his heater. If Gausman begins this season healthy, a bounce-back campaign could well be in the cards, as he produced a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 31.1 percent strikeout rate as recently as 2023.
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Blue Jays' George Springer: Might bat lower in order in 2025
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Thursday that Springer might not be his leadoff hitter in 2025, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
The overwhelming majority of Springer's starts since joining the Blue Jays have come from the leadoff spot and Schneider didn't dismiss using the outfielder there again this season, but he's also considering Bo Bichette for the top of the batting order, "depending on who we're facing." Vladimir Guerrero and Anthony Santander are slated to hit second and third, respectively, while Schneider mentioned leadoff and cleanup as options for Bichette. It's possible Springer will be used in whichever of those two spots Bichette doesn't occupy.
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Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Could bat leadoff or cleanup
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Bichette could bat leadoff or cleanup this season, "depending on who we're facing," Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Schneider has decided on Vladimir Guerrero in the No. 2 hole and Anthony Santander in the No. 3 spot, but who bats before them and after them is not yet written in ink. Bichette has spent the vast majority of his career hitting second, but his 106 starts in the cleanup spot are the second most of any position in the batting order. George Springer has been the club's regular leadoff man during his four seasons in Toronto but might bat lower in the order in 2025.
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Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Slated to bat second this season
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider plans for Guerrero to bat second and Anthony Santander to hit third this season, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Guerrero began last season in the No. 2 spot but wound up hitting third for the bulk of the campaign. Schneider has not decided on a leadoff man or cleanup hitter, noting that Bo Bichette is an option for both spots "depending on who we're facing." Seemingly, George Springer is another prime candidate to hit ahead of Guerrero.
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Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Back in action Thursday
Rotowire
Clement (mouth) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.
An errant fastball struck Clement in the face during Monday's exhibition against the Tigers, but he managed to avoid any fractures and was cleared of a concussion. The 28-year-old is now ready to resume his preparations for Opening Day, as he gears up to serve as the primary third baseman for Toronto in 2025.
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Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: Unlikely to see much time at 3B
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Wednesday that he doesn't expect to use Guerrero much at third base this season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The Blue Jays have been open to the idea of using Guerrero more at the hot corner. However, there's currently not an obvious alternative at first base to push Guerrero to third base and maximize the team's offensive potential. Vlad Jr. is still likely to make an occasional start at the hot corner, but fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on him picking up third base eligibility on platforms where he doesn't already have it.
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Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Could be in lineup Thursday
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Clement (mouth) could be back in the lineup Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Clement had to leave Monday's game against the Tigers after being hit in the face by a pitch, but he managed to escape with just a lip laceration and contusion and is feeling much better. He's expected to serve as Toronto's primary third baseman in 2025.
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Blue Jays' Adam Macko: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Macko (knee) to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Macko will get a late start to the minor-league season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery last month to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. He's without a clear timeline to make his 2025 debut, but if Macko ends up being sidelined at least two months into the season, Toronto could recall him from Triple-A and place him on their 60-day injured list to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for another player.
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Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: No concussion or fractures
Rotowire
Clement did not suffer any fractures and is not dealing with any concussion symptoms as a result of a hit-by-pitch in the face during Monday's game against the Tigers, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports
It was a scary situation when Clement was struck by a 91.3 mph Ty Madden fastball, but the infielder has managed to escape with merely a lip laceration and contusion. Projected to be the Blue Jays' primary third baseman this season, Clement should be considered day-to-day.
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Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Clubs first spring homer
Rotowire
Bichette went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The shortstop crushed a Tanner Banks pitch down the left-field line in the third inning for his first long ball of the spring. Bichette appears laser-focused on putting his rough 2024 season behind him, going 5-for-16 (.313) with two doubles, plus Sunday's homer, through his first six Grapefruit League games.
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Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho: Goes yard again Sunday
Rotowire
Varsho (shoulder) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
He lofted a Taijuan Walker offering over the right-field fence in the first inning, giving Varsho his second long ball of the spring. The 28-year-old has been limited to DH duties so far as he completes his recovery from shoulder surgery, but he's homered in each of his first two Grapefruit League appearances and has been optimistic he'll be able to avoid an IL stint to begin the regular season.
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Blue Jays' Max Scherzer: Fans four in Sunday's start
Rotowire
Scherzer struck out four without walking a batter over 3.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The right-hander gave up a solo homer to Kody Clemens in the second inning, but it was the only baserunner Scherzer allowed. The 40-year-old has had a dominant start to camp, posting an 8:0 K:BB through 5.2 innings in two starts, and he seems intent on proving he still has something left in the tank after he was able to work only 43.1 innings for the Rangers in 2024 due to multiple injuries.
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Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Exits after HBP in face
Rotowire
Clement was removed from Monday's game against the Tigers after being hit in the face by a pitch, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Clement was struck by a 91.3 mph fastball from Ty Madden and walked off the field with a trainer while holding a bloody towel to his face. The Blue Jays are saying for the time being that Clement is dealing with a lip laceration and contusion, although it's not clear whether he still needs to undergo additional testing. Clement is expected to open the season as Toronto's primary third baseman.
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Blue Jays' Leo Jimenez: Returns to action Sunday
Rotowire
Jimenez (illness) went 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored and played four innings at shortstop in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Phillies in Grapefruit League play.
Though Bo Bichette drew the start at shortstop Sunday, Jimenez's ability to come off the bench and play four innings in the field suggests he's healthy again after he had been scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees due to an illness. Jimenez is vying for a utility role after slashing .229/.329/.358 over 210 plate appearances as a rookie with Toronto in 2024.
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Blue Jays' Jonatan Clase: Ready for spring debut
Rotowire
Clase (hamstring) is in the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Assuming there are no further issues with his hamstring, Clase should be able to start the season on time. While he appears headed for a limited role after mostly struggling as a rookie between Seattle and Toronto, the 22-year-old Clase has shown offensive potential on the farm, and his sprint speed was elite last season at 30.0 ft/sec.
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Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho: Not ruling self out for Opening Day
Rotowire
Varsho (shoulder) said Friday that it's "TBD" as to whether he will be ready for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider implied at the beginning of camp that he expected the outfielder to need some time on the injured list to start the season. However, Varsho isn't ruling out completing his recovery from September rotator cuff surgery in time to avoid an IL stint. The 28-year-old hit a home run out of the designated-hitter spot Friday in his Grapefruit League debut, and it's possible Toronto will consider carrying him on its Opening Day roster even if he's only available as a DH initially. Varsho recently extended his throwing distance to 120 feet, and the next step in his rehab is to start throwing over 80 miles per hour with regularity.
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Blue Jays' Leo Jimenez: Scratched from lineup with illness
Rotowire
Jimenez was scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Yankees due to an illness, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Jimenez should be fine to play in a day or two. He's been replaced in the lineup by top prospect Arjun Nimmala.
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Blue Jays' Joey Loperfido: Good to go Friday
Rotowire
Loperfido (neck/back) is starting in center field and batting leadoff in Friday's split-squad game against the Yankees, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined since Tuesday when he collided with the outfield wall, but he's returning to action Friday after taking a few days to rest up. Loperfido posted a .614 OPS in 81 regular-season games between the Blue Jays and Astros as a rookie last season and could secure a starting outfield job during spring training.
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