Blue Jays Roundup, Sept 23: Cease Injury, Roster Depth, 2024 Outlook

[Jays Centre]

Here is some of the latest Blue Jays analysis from around the internet. Focus is on the team's struggles with a broken rotation, underperforming offense, and roster management, along with Dylan Cease's injury concerns and potential Rule 5 draft targets.

• Here's why a long winning streak has eluded Blue Jays (MLB.com). Argues the Blue Jays' 2026 season is defined by a four-game max winning streak, tying them with multiple non-playoff teams. Key factors: a broken rotation with multiple injuries and an underperforming offense that lacks explosive runs.
• Ceased (The Batflip). Argues the Blue Jays’ AL Wild Card race is in jeopardy due to a tie with Houston and trailing the White Sox, citing their 77-79 record, the White Sox’s 80-76 lead, and the Jays’ lack of a tiebreaker.
• Housekeeping looms for Blue Jays after season of roster churn (Sportsnet). Argues the Blue Jays face significant roster management challenges as they navigate pitching depth losses and transaction chaos, with Brendan Cellucci's improbable journey from release to MLB debut highlighting the team's need to evaluate and protect prospects like him, Jose Rodriguez, and others.
• Blue Jays’ Cease won’t need surgery after MRI but season remains in limbo (Sportsnet). Argues Dylan Cease’s shoulder inflammation, not structural damage, may limit his 2025 season, with his velocity decline and workload contributing to the issue. Cease, with 239 strikeouts and 2.40 ERA, faces uncertainty as the Blue Jays’ rotation struggles with injuries and roster churn.
• Blue Jays 40-man roster crunch gives Ross Atkins plenty of offseason work to do (Jays Journal). Argues the Blue Jays face a 40-man roster crunch with nine on the 60-day IL and potential additions, requiring cuts. Key players at risk include DFA candidates Clase, Martin Jr., Van Eyk, Ross, and Cellucci, while protected prospects like Perry, Stanifer, and Guerra will be added.
• After Spencer Miles' breakout, Blue Jays should be all over these potential Rule 5 draft targets (Jays Journal). Argues the Blue Jays should target Rule 5 draft prospects like Luke Fox, Yoendris Gonzalez, and Braxton Bragg, citing their improved performance, strikeout potential, and health after injury setbacks.