Toronto Blue Jays 2026 Opening Day Roster Projection

[Bryan Jaeger]

The Toronto Blue Jays were busy this offseason, working to retool their team in hopes of returning to the World Series (with a different outcome, of course). They improved their pitching staff by adding Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers in free agency.

Not as much was added to the offense, but the team did sign Kazuma Okamoto. After the news that Anthony Santander needed surgery on his left labrum and would miss five to six months, the Blue Jays acquired Jesús Sánchez in a trade with the Houston Astros.

A few key players, including Santander, will miss Opening Day. Shane Bieber and Yimi García aren't projected to be out long. José Berríos was recently diagnosed with a stress fracture in his elbow, and his timetable is uncertain. He's taking a few days off before testing his elbow out again. 

These injuries help narrow down who will make the Opening Day roster, as some of the few remaining question marks that loomed around the team have been cleared up. There could still be a surprise addition, but here is who will likely be on the roster to start the season:

Blue Jays Projected Batting Order

 

• George Springer, DH
• Addison Barger, RF
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
• Daulton Varsho, CF
• Alejandro Kirk, C
• Jesús Sánchez, LF
• Kazuma Okamoto, 3B
• Ernie Clement, 2B
• Andrés Giménez, SS

Bench: Tyler Heineman, C; Davis Schneider, UTL; Nathan Lukes, OF; Myles Straw, OF

This lineup configuration gives manager John Schneider a nice righty-lefty rotation through the top seven spots. Okamoto and Ernie Clement will be back-to-back right-handed bats, but the rotation continues with Giménez, a lefty, batting ninth. 

There's a ton of power in the starting lineup as well, with each of the top seven capable of hitting 17 to 20 home runs at a minimum. I really wanted to see Eloy Jiménez on the bench, given his hot spring training (128 wRC+), but the only person he could replace is Nathan Lukes, which leaves you with three right-handed hitters and a switch-hitter on the bench. That lineup construction would limit the Blue Jays late in games if an opposing team were to bring in a right-handed pitcher.

The only other question to consider is whether Leo Jiménez can beat Davis Schneider for a place on the bench. Right now, however, that seems unlikely. An injury would be required to find room for either Jiménez on the roster. Now let's take a look at the pitching staff.

Blue Jays Projected Pitching Staff

Update: Shortly after this roster projection was published, the Blue Jays announced that Trey Yesavage will begin the season on the IL with a right shoulder impingement. This means Eric Lauer will begin the season in the starting rotation, and either Chase Lee or Angel Bastardo will take up the open bullpen spot.

Starting Rotation

• Kevin Gausman, RHP
• Dylan Cease, RHP
• Cody Ponce, RHP
• Trey Yesavage, RHP
• Max Scherzer, RHP

Bullpen: Jeff Hoffman, RHP; Tyler Rogers, RHP; Louis Varland, RHP; Tommy Nance, RHP; Eric Lauer, LHP; Brendon Little, LHP; Braydon Fisher, RHP; Mason Fluharty, LHP

Max Scherzer steps in to take what would have likely been Berríos's spot, though Scherzer has been electric this spring. He's pitched 8 2/3 innings, allowed only two hits, and has yet to give up a run. The lone concerns are that he's struck out only six batters and walked three. 

However, what do you expect out of a pitcher who turns 42 in July? The Blue Jays just need to get semi-quality innings from him to help ease the workload on their younger pitchers. The days of posting a mid-2.00s ERA and striking out 200 batters are long behind the pitcher known as Mad Max for his fiery demeanor on the field.

If I were the manager, I'd prefer to have a left-handed starter or two, but the Blue Jays are limited in this aspect. Lauer is the only option currently on the projected 26-man roster, though promising left-handed prospects Ricky Tiedemann and Adam Macko are waiting in the wings. Both starting pitching prospects are on the 40-man roster.

Tiedemann missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the 2024 campaign. However, his spring has been delayed due to soreness in his left elbow. The lefty has resumed throwing, but the Blue Jays will ease him back into a normal routine.

The last bullpen spot that would have been García's is open to Fluharty or Chase Lee, who the Blue Jays acquired this offseason in a trade with the Detroit Tigers. With so many righties in the bullpen, I chose to leave Lee off the 26-man roster, but he will make his return to MLB at some point this season.

The Blue Jays have a well-configured roster that has a legitimate shot to defend their AL East and American League titles. There's far more optimism revolving around the team than they had at the start of last season after finishing 2024 with a 74-88 record and coming in last in the AL East. Gear up, Blue Jays fans, it's going to be an exciting season. 

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[Bryan Jaeger]

Well, my projection has already been ruined. It's just been announced that Trey Yesavage will begin the season on the IL with a right shoulder impingement. That means Eric Lauer will begin the season in the starting rotation, and either Chase Lee or Angel Bastardo will take up the open bullpen spot. 

[Spanky__99]

4 hours ago, Bryan Jaeger said:

Well, my projection has already been ruined. It's just been announced that Trey Yesavage will begin the season on the IL with a right shoulder impingement. That means Eric Lauer will begin the season in the starting rotation, and either Chase Lee or Angel Bastardo will take up the open bullpen spot. 

Bastardo likely takes that spot, Lee can be optioned Bastardo has to be given back. I also believe Jimenez gets kept and one of Lukes or DS get optioned. 

[Bryan Jaeger]

I may be in the minority here, but I've never been impressed by Jimenez. However, at some point, the Blue Jays need to give him a chance to see if he can improve on his ugly 2025 brief season at the MLB level. If he does make the team, then it has to be for Schneider. Need another left-handed bat (Lukes) off the bench other than Heineman, imo.