Blue Jays Toil Through Another Week as Trade Deadline Nears

[Leo Morgenstern]

Well, that certainly was a week of Blue Jays baseball.

The Jays snapped a six-game losing streak last week, taking two of three from the Mets. Unfortunately, they followed that up by dropping a series against the Mariners. The most painful part of it all was an 11-0 drubbing in Seattle, which was followed by another shutout loss. It's now been 24 innings since Toronto scored a run. Indeed, while the Jays went 3-3 on the week, all three losses were shutouts, leading to a -9 run differential.

An even week means the Blue Jays are still six games below the .500 mark, but now they only have four weeks left before the trade deadline. Despite a 42-48 record and -42 run differential, Toronto is only three games back of a Wild Card berth.

Considering that, and all the talent on this roster, I'm still inclined to view the Blue Jays as buyers this month. However, they need to string together some more wins if they're going to convince Ross Atkins to make some needle-moving additions.  

Toronto Blue Jays Week in Review (June 29-July 5)

Monday, June 29: TOR 2, NYM 1

• Bo Bichette gets a standing ovation in his return to the Rogers Centre.
• Trey Yesavage notches another quality start.
• George Springer hits a little league home run.

Tuesday, June 30: NYM 3, TOR 0

• Kevin Gausman rights the ship after a pair of rough outings.
• Blue Jays shut out for third time in 2026 (first time since May 6).
• Loonie Dog night record falls to 4-4. 

Wednesday, July 1: TOR 9, NYM 3

• Blue Jays improve to 5-1 when Braydon Fisher "starts."
• Spencer Miles touches 99 on the radar gun for the first time (and tops out at 99.4).
• Sean Keys hits his first MLB home run.
• Patrick Corbin earns a five-inning save.

Friday, July 3: TOR 2, SEA 0

• Dylan Cease dominates on the seven-year anniversary of his big league debut. (He'll be named to his first career All-Star team the next day.)
• Louis Varland (soon to be named an All-Star himself) earns another save. He's 18-for-18 on the year.

Saturday, July 4: SEA 11, TOR 0

• Shane Bieber gives up seven runs. His first three starts haven't been very promising.  
• Adam Macko falters. The Canadian rookie has been great this year, but he couldn't stop the bleeding on Saturday.
• Myles Straw takes the hill. The outfielder made his second scoreless pitching appearance of the season.
• Logan Gilbert and Cole Wilcox of the Mariners held the Blue Jays to one baserunner; Yohendrick Piñango singled in the fifth.
• Jonatan Clase makes his 2026 debut.

Sunday July 5: SEA 4, TOR 0

• The offense lets down Yesavage, who makes another quality start. 
• The Jays managed a whopping three hits in this shutout, including a double from Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Toronto Blue Jays Transactions of the Week

• Simeon Woods Richardson outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo.
• Jonatan Clase recalled for first time in 2026.
• Max Scherzer sent to High-A Vancouver for rehab start. (3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K)
• Matt Bowman, Josh Fleming, and Justin Topa released from minor league contracts.

Toronto Blue Jays Injury Updates of the Week

• Addison Barger diagnosed with stress fracture in his back. He will be shut down for at least another week.
• Scherzer expected to need two more rehab starts before returning. Could be back shortly after the All-Star break.
• Lenyn Sosa started a rehab assignment on June 22, but the infielder hasn't played since June 26.

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