標籤: Jays

Despite the massive injury problems facing the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching rotation, they still decided to designate Eric Lauer for the job last week. Now, the left-hander has found a new life with none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In return, Toronto gets the old standby, “cash consideration.”

With a 9-2 record, Lauer did everything the Blue Jays could from him during the 2025 season. He was a starter for half the year, and in 15 starts, he had a good 3.77 ERA with 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He was then moved to the bullpen, which was not his first choice, but he adapted to it. big time. He posted a 1.76 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He also made five strong appearances in the postseason in that role with a 3.12 ERA.

In fact, Dodgers fans from Chavez Ravine will remember Lauer for his stellar performance in the Game Three 18-inning marathon. He came on in the 12th inning and pitched 4.2 scoreless innings on 68 pitches, allowing only two hits.

It seems the Dodgers have made a mental note of the 5.2 scoreless innings that Lauer threw in the two World Series games against them.

Lauer joins the Dodgers with a 6.69 ERA this season

But 2026 has been a whole new game for Lauer. No matter what role he played, the southpaw couldn’t bring it together. He has a 6.69 ERA overall. In six starts, he posted a 6.15 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, with a strikeout to walk ratio of only 18:13. In two stints in the bullpen, it was even uglier, with an 8.10 ERA in 10 innings. He surrendered a league-leading 11 homers in his eight contests.

But the 30-year-old has seen ups and downs in his eight-year career and has often come back stronger. It would surprise no one if the Dodgers were able to get the lefty back to his winning ways.

The Dodgers are in desperate need of help in the rotation. Blake Snell went back to the IL after only one appearance, and Tyler Glasnow is also currently out due to back spasms. Reports are that Lauer will initially serve as a length option in the bullpen when he joins the team this week, but as he progresses, a spot in the rotation will certainly be on the table.

For his career, Lauer has a 4.26 ERA with 8.5 K/9 in 737.2 innings.

This is another blow to the battered and bruised pitching staff of the Toronto Blue Jays. As they await final word on the next steps for injured pitcher Jose Berrios, manager John Schneider says “surgery is on the table.”

“At this point it is an option,” Schneider said Friday. “We’re just trying to figure out if this is the path we’re going down.”

Although Berrios met with renowned elbow surgeon Dr. Keith Meister earlier this week, the manager says as far as he knows, there is no ligament damage involved. Of course, Schneider is not a doctor, nor does he play doctors on TV (or in Clubhouse).

However, he did mention “loose bodies”, as noted by renowned author Keegan Matheson. It seems like we’re still talking about the stress fracture that Berrios suffered during spring training with no ill effects. But he has had some elbow pain with low velocity in his last two rehab starts.

“He’s trying to make the best decision now and for the long term,” Schneider said, indicating that the 31-year-old pitcher will have the final say on which path to take. “I think he’s been in a little back-and-forth on this, and just wants to get it right.”

Berrios’ surgery decision looming, and contract decision after season

This is an even more important decision for his future because Berrios has opted out after the season. The seven-year, $131 million contract he signed with Toronto in 2021 will pay him $24 million apiece for two more years. Unless he decides to opt out and become a free agent. But as his injuries continue to worsen, it is becoming a controversial issue.

What makes it even more difficult for Berrios is that he has been the picture of health throughout his major league career until this season. He didn’t miss a start for six consecutive years (32 starts per season) until 2025… when he missed just twice. In this era of pitcher injuries and Tommy John surgeries, this is truly a remarkable accomplishment.

But in the ultimate proof that no pitcher can escape injury forever these days, Berrios faces a career-defining moment any day now.

It’s starting to look like a lost season for Addison Barger. The Toronto Blue Jays’ breakout slugger from 2025 has had a disastrous 2026 so far. And the latest report from the Rogers Center looks like it could get much worse.

Barger had a rough start, with a .045 batting average (1 for 19) and a .305 OPS in 28 plate appearances. He missed 25 games due to injuries to both ankles, including a severe left ankle sprain. Then, after his long-awaited return on Saturday, he woke up with “right elbow soreness” on Sunday. He has now left for MRI.

Barger was inserted into Sunday’s lineup as the leadoff hitter. But just hours before the game he was pulled due to an elbow problem. Imaging is expected to provide some answers on Monday.

Barger forced a runner out at the plate on Saturday with a 101.2 mph throw.

One has to suspect that the laser beam throw he made — at more than 101 mph — to catch Jorge Soler at the plate in Saturday’s game had something to do with Sunday’s ominous development.

Sometimes, a pitcher going on the injured list is a big blow to a team. But let’s admit that sometimes, that’s not such a bad thing. The latter is the case for Toronto Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer. He is hitting the IL with “arm and ankle injuries.”

Truth be told, forearm tendinitis has been hindering Scherzer since his second start, and it shows.

The 41-year-old has struggled to a 9.64 ERA in his five starts so far this season. In his last four starts, in fact, over 12.2 innings, he has surrendered 19 earned runs, allowing six homers, seven walks and only six strikeouts.

“All I can say is that I was not right. [Pitching coach] peat [Walker] “He was right there, and we both saw it,” Scherzer said, according to MLB.com. We didn’t feel like I was in a good place to move forward. Based on the calendar, here in April, it’s the beginning of the season and that’s the time where I can be right.

Scherzer impresses IL with two historic achievements

The IL stint will leave him hanging around for some time in search of two historic numbers. Scherzer was one strikeout away from 3,500 in his career, and was only 11 away from passing Walter Johnson for 10th on the all-time strikeout list.

And so, while the battered and bruised Blue Jays rotation is bringing back one of its walking wounded in Trey Yesways, another is headed to the hospital. Scherzer Cody Ponce (out for the year), Jose Berrios (close to a return), and Shane Bieber (still going slowly, recovering from elbow and arm problems) have been ruled out of the lineup.

The Jays have recalled right-hander Chase Lee from Triple-A Buffalo to take Mad Max’s spot on the roster. Lee has an impressive 1.32 ERA in 13 innings out of the bullpen with the Bison, but has a bit of a control problem. The 27-year-old issued 9 walks against 12 strikeouts. This leaves him with 1.42 WHIP.

Lee is in his first year in the Jays organization, after making his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers last season. He posted a 4.10 ERA in 37 innings in Detroit last season.

The Yesves, last year’s rookie of the year, will make their long-awaited season debut on Tuesday night after completing their rehab assignment. He had been out since spring training with a right shoulder injury.

2024 年，佩里晉升為 Low-A，儘管他所面對的擊球手的保送率為 18.8%，但他還是先發了 14 場比賽，打了 46 局，自責分率為 2.93。然而，他的賽季被縮短了，因為他在 8 月在 UCL 受傷，需要湯米約翰進行手術，在開始之前就結束了他的整個 2025 賽季。

快進到 2026 年，經過幾個月的艱苦康復，佩里自 24 年 8 月以來首次重返投手丘。他的前三場比賽取得了出色的成績，值得樂觀。然而，佩里賽季初的真正動力來自於他的全面改進。速度提高了，形狀更好了，結果也反映了這一點。

讓我們深入了解藍鳥隊系統中可能最大的臥舖臂。

東西的區別

我們可以看到佩里在 2024 年 UCL 手術前的最後一次展示，以及他今年 4 月回歸後的前三場比賽中的展示。

立即跳出來的第一件事是佩里的平均快球速度比之前提高了 2 英里/小時，而沒有犧牲任何形狀。平均時速 94 英里/小時，速度為 18.7」 IVB 和 9.4」 HB 的 -4.2 垂直接近角落帶來了他的快球精英切球動作。擊球手有 40% 的時間在擊球，這對快球來說確實是異常情況，而當他們確實接觸時，它屬於軟球。

考慮到額外的 -5.5，曲線球的下落比之前更加陡峭」 它正在生成 IVB。反過來，它可以更有效地從他的高騎快球中挖出，因為它們來自同一個槽，從手中看起來是一樣的，但快球保持在區域內，而曲線球從桌子上掉下來。 66.7% 的惡魔般的嗅覺率反映了它的音調有多好。

從速度的角度來看，沉降片是四接縫沉降片的複製品。平均時速從 92 英里每小時提高到 94 英里每小時。形狀基本上保持不變，但增加的速度彌補了世界上的所有差異，特別是當你有六個不同的音高需要準備時。

另一個形狀變化最大的投球是佩里的變速投球。平均速度上升 1.5 MPH，同時下降 5.4 MPH」 IVB 的數量較 2024 年的情況有所不同。 極為 佩里的變速球的一小部分樣本（確切地說是七個球）的錯誤率為 66.7%，但沒有一個被投入使用。隨著賽季的進行，我希望看到佩里更多地利用這種球場，特別是在對陣左手擊球手時。

The memories of Game 7 won’t fade away soon. Last time the Toronto Blue Jays came inches away from a World Series championship – several times – but fell short.

However, now it’s time to turn the page (and) [Andy] Pages), as he threw the first pitch of the 2026 season in an attempt to defend his American League championship. Are the Jays a better team this season? General manager Ross Atkins thinks they are. But it doesn’t mean much until they get between the white lines and we see how this team comes together.

Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt have been the most notable absentees this season. Isiah Kiner-Falefa isn’t back either, but Toronto fans will want to forget the last time they saw him in a Jays uniform.

Atkins hopes to replace Bichette’s production with Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. The additions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to the pitching staff have compensated for the loss of Bassitt on the mound (although his clubhouse presence will be missed).

So what questions does this team have in 2026? Well, very much. Let’s take a look at the four biggest ones:

4 questions facing the Blue Jays in 2026

1. Can Okamoto really replace what Bichette provided at the plate?

Okamoto had a .277 average and .882 OPS in his 10 seasons in Japan’s NPB. With an on-base percentage and slugging PCT of .355. Hitting .521, he has shown that he not only has power, but also strong contact skills. He has always maintained a low strikeout rate and ability to draw walks. Most experts believe those skills should transfer well to the major leagues. His .316 average and 1.066 OPS among 23 Grapefruit League at-bats are promising signs.

2. Can Addison Barger take the next step into full-on breakout slugger?

Barger gave Jays fans some tempting appetizers in 2025, including 21 long balls in 502 plate appearances in the regular season and a memorable, historic grand slam in the World Series.

The news wasn’t surprising on Thursday when it was announced that the Toronto Blue Jays would place top young starter Trey Yesavage on the injured list to start the season. They had been playing gently with him all spring. He reported feeling something was not right at the camp.

But with the announcement that he’s going on the IL to start the year with a “shoulder impingement,” it’s perfectly clear what the issue is.

Let’s all remember that Yesways is still only 22 years old. He came in as a rookie at the end of last season, and got in only 14 regular season innings before arriving on the biggest stage in baseball in the postseason. He was incredible in his 27.2 playoff innings, and not the least bit fazed by the bright lights of the World Series. But at 125 total innings, that was nearly 30% more than the year before in his last NCAA season.

So what happens with the Blue Jays’ rotation now? This news follows the news that Jose Berrios will also start on the IL as he works through a stress fracture in his elbow. And we all know about Justin Bieber, who was kicked out of Opening Days plans long ago.

What does the Blue Jays’ five-man rotation look like now after Yesway’s injury?

Thankfully, the Jays prepared themselves for these types of pitching injuries (as every MLB team should!). The late re-signing of Max Scherzer and the continued presence of swingman Eric Lauer means Toronto could still start a rotation that looks like this:

• Kevin Gausman
• dialing off
• max shazer
• Cody Ponce
• Eric Lauer

So, let’s take a look: The two-time All-Star and recent AL strikeout champion on Opening Day. The $210 million freshman with five consecutive 200-K seasons is next. Then there’s a left-hander (Lauer) who completely reworked himself into the rotation last season (3.77 ERA).

Next comes Cody Ponce. He is returning to North America after completely dominating Korea last season. He has continued this into spring training as well. He allowed only one hit in 5.2 scoreless innings against the NY Yankees on Thursday, dropping his Grapefruit League ERA to 0.66 in 13.2 innings.

And ultimately, the Jays completed their cycle with the only three-time Cy Young winner.

Blue Jays’ impressive pitching depth could survive 3 starters on IL

And as the Jays beat writer Keegan Matheson on TSN’s Overdrive, many teams around baseball couldn’t escape defeat Three The Blue Jays can do just as well with the starters in their rotation.

“This depth is really impressive. I remember we were talking a few weeks ago, ‘Where is Max Scherzer going to pitch?’ Well, he’s going to pitch right here. These things work on their own all the time, Matheson said. “If they had signed 20 starters, 15 of them would have got hurt. That’s just the way it works.”

As for Yesvez, he said that after working on his shoulder throughout the spring, he is “feeling good now” and the pain is gone. He’s still pitching, and, according to Sportsnet’s Shea Davidy, “Yesvez is scheduled to be back on a mound next Wednesday, with his upcoming steps being ‘building, building innings, getting pitch counts to a comfortable spot so I can be a starter,'” the young pitcher concluded.

So, there is no reason to panic at all at this point in the Toronto camp. The rotation should be in very good hands until all of the injured walking backs return. Then we’ll have another problem to worry about. But this whole “too many beginners” dilemma can only be a good thing.

In an overnight deal, three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer agreed to run it back with the American League champion Toronto Blue Jays. Both parties agreed to an attractive one-year deal full of incentives.

The agreement includes a $3 million salary and $10 million in incentives. Insider Ken Rosenthal confirms that the bonus starts at the 65-inning mark. It also comes with no-trade protection.

Last season, Scherzer struggled to stay healthy and consistent during the regular season. He was only able to make 17 starts, and posted a 5.19 ERA in 85 innings. However, when the postseason fell, the two-time World Series winner hit the big time with a 3.77 ERA in three starts. Not the least of which was his courageous start in Game 7 in the World Series against the LA Dodgers, when he allowed only one run in 4.2 innings, and left with a 3–1 lead.

Scherzer returns with Blue Jays for 19th MLB season

It was already clear after the heartbreaking outcome of that Game 7 loss that the 41-year-old was determined to return in 2026. “I can’t understand how this is the last pitch I ever throw,” he said in early November.

He suffered from a thumb problem throughout the ’25 season, which also caused pain in his arm and shoulder. It seems like he believes he has it figured out and will be ready to endure the rigors of his 19th major league season.

Given his age and late signing date, Scherzer will take his time getting ready for the season. But by adding depth to the rotation and a valuable clubhouse presence, he will be a key piece for manager John Schneider to once again rely on in times of need. Even if he is sometimes afraid that Mad Max will kill him.

The Toronto Blue Jays have already made two shakeups to their starting staff for the 2026 season. Bowden Francis is gone for a year because he has to undergo Tommy John surgery. And Shane Bieber will begin the season on the injured list due to arm soreness.

Enter: Mad Max?

According to a Friday report from Blue Jays beat writer Ben Nicholson-Smith, negotiations between the Jays and free agent starter Max Scherzer have become “more serious” in the past week. Toronto is now the frontrunner to secure his services so they can run it back with the defending AL champs.

Hints of such a scenario surfaced earlier this week, when we shared a report from insider Ken Rosenthal, who suggested that Scherzer’s return north of the border was something he could see happening.

Scherzer and Jez getting ‘serious’ in talks

Even Mad Max had given some hints earlier in the offseason, consistently referring to the Jays as “us” in an interview, even though he was a free agent.

Scherzer, now 41, struggled to a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts in his first season with Toronto last year. But he performed as expected in the playoffs from a three-time Cy Young winner, posting a 3.77 ERA in three starts.

It looks like the good vibes from Scherzer and Jays could carry over again in 2026.

It’s not often that a three-time Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion is roaming free agency as major league camps get underway.

But 41-year-old Max Scherzer is still without contract until 2026. He was almost done with his third World Series ring as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays last season.

Insider Ken Rosenthal gives us the latest on Mad Max’s free agency on the Foul Territory Podcast.

I talked to Max Scherzer… and he said he’s looking to sign with the right team right now. He’s ready to go, he’s healthy, he’s good. But he’s not going to sign just like that any team Whoever offers him wants the right team. He has a few teams in mind. And if he doesn’t get a good enough offer from one of those teams, he’s willing to wait until the season starts.

But then Rosenthal suggested that a scenario that has already begun to unfold could see Mad Max land back in Toronto. Once injuries start to hit pitching staffs around the majors this spring, teams will start to get a little more desperate for some depth to their rotation.

And it just so happens that the Blue Jays have already suffered some setbacks. It was recently announced that Bowden Francis would undergo UCL reconstruction surgery on his right elbow. He suffered what is being described as a “serious injury” while throwing a pitch during the ramp-up to spring training.

Additionally, it was also revealed that Shane Bieber would begin the season on the injured list. His spring ramp-up will be delayed due to right forearm inflammation. Manager John Schneider said it had been bothering him since the end of the World Series.

Is a Max Scherzer reunion with the Blue Jays still possible?

Rosenthal says all this could mean that Jays may still be paying Scherzer for the calls.

You look at his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, a team he loved pitching for. They already have some problems with pitchers getting injured. Bowden Francis is out for the season. Shane Bieber, we knew something was wrong when he chose… exercised his player option.

So they have some physical concerns, and I’m sure at some point, if it becomes more intense for them, they will be more interested in Max Scherzer.

Of course, the Jays won’t be the only team to deal with pitching injuries this spring or as the season begins. There is no guarantee of a Scherzer reunion. But the departure of another John Schneider & Co. employee could mean that the return of Mad Max isn’t far off.

Scherzer had a difficult regular season in Toronto amid injuries and poor performance. His ERA in 17 starts was 5.19. But he came up big in the playoffs, posting a 3.77 ERA in three starts.