DUNEDIN, Fla. — We’re beyond the earliest days of Toronto Blue Jays spring training. The team announced the unexpected injuries and made a trade to restock depth. Now, ahead of Toronto’s first full-squad workout, we can look at where the roster stands.
Another injury or acquisition could change the Jays’ outlook ahead of Opening Day, but Toronto has a fairly full roster. The lineup and rotation appear set, but there will be position battles on the bench and in the bullpen.
Here’s an initial roster projection for how the Jays will break camp in March:
Blue Jays projected lineup
Catchers (2): Alejandro Kirk, Tyler Heineman
Next up: Brandon Valenzuela, C.J. Stubbs
Toronto’s catching tandem produced the second-most FanGraphs WAR (6.8) last year, behind only the Seattle Mariners and Cal Raleigh’s near-MVP season. Unsurprisingly, the Jays will run back that tandem this year. If there’s an injury, expect 25-year-old prospect Valenzuela to get his first MLB shot. The young switch-hitter with a great arm profiles as a defence-first backup catcher.
Infielders (4): Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, Andrés Giménez, Kazuma Okamoto
Next up: Leo Jiménez, Rafael Lantigua, Josh Kasevich, Carlos Mendoza, Charles McAdoo
There are only four pure infielders on this depth chart, but outfielders Davis Schneider (second base) and Addison Barger (third base) should see time on the dirt. Barring injuries, Toronto’s four-man starting infield will remain fairly constant.
The big unknown is how much Okamoto can carry the load at third base. While some scouts viewed him as more of a first baseman, the Jays see Okamoto as a sneaky good defender at the position. If he quickly adjusts to MLB pitching, Toronto appears ready to hand the Japanese star 140 or more games at third, if needed.
Toronto’s toughest infield decision will surround Leo Jiménez, who is likely the first player off the roster as things stand. The 24-year-old, who will play for Panama at the World Baseball Classic, is out of minor-league options. Toronto will have to place him on the Opening Day roster or expose him to waivers.
Jiménez hasn’t had much offensive success in two brief big-league stints, but it’s clear the Jays are going to give him a shot this spring. Even in the first few days of camp, Jiménez has been working with infield coach Carlos Febles and taken groundballs at third, shortstop and second. To carry him as a backup infielder, though, the Jays may have to trade or option an established outfielder.
Outfielders (7): George Springer, Addison Barger, Daulton Varsho, Jesús Sánchez, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, Myles Straw
Next up: Jonatan Clase, RJ Schreck, Eloy Jiménez, Yohendrick Pinango
Despite Anthony Santander’s shoulder surgery, Toronto’s outfield mix remains deep. After the trade for Sánchez, it almost appears too busy. Though Springer is more of a designated hitter, and Barger and Schneider will also act as secondary infielders, carrying seven outfielders is tough for any team.
Lukes and Schneider should have roles on this team, but either could start in Triple-A Buffalo if the Jays want a traditional backup infielder. It wouldn’t be a deserved demotion for either, after strong 2025 seasons and big roles in the playoffs, but it’s the type of move that a depth-conscious team like Toronto would make to avoid losing infield options.
Blue Jays projected rotation
Next up: Shane Bieber (hurt), Eric Lauer (in bullpen), Lazaro Estrada, Adam Macko, Michael Plassmeyer, Gage Stanifer, Chad Dallas
With Bieber set to start on the injured list, Toronto’s rotation depth thins out fast. After the starting five, who appear essentially certain, Lauer is the obvious next man up. The lefty is stretching out as a starter in camp, but if the rest of Toronto’s rotation stays healthy, he’ll begin as length in the bullpen. Yariel Rodríguez, who made 22 starts for Toronto over the last two years, is not stretching out this year. After he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers over the offseason, Rodríguez came to camp as a two-inning reliever, hopeful to earn his way back onto the 40-man roster.
So, spring is the time for Toronto to figure out who’s next after Lauer. Maybe there’s a move coming here to build more depth, or perhaps Max Scherzer signs in May if more injuries hit Toronto’s rotation. Stanifer, who’s expected to start the season at Double A, is the type of prospect who could quickly become a big-league option with a strong spring and a few good starts in the minors.
Blue Jays projected bullpen
Next up: Yimi García (rehab), Mason Fluharty, Yariel Rodríguez, Chase Lee, Angel Bastardo, Ricky Tiedemann, Jorge Alcala, Ryan Jennings
The relief group that Toronto breaks camp with will, almost certainly, be vastly different from the one that ends the regular season. That’s just how things work in the never-ending churn of big-league bullpens. So, the Jays will probably look to preserve their amassed relief depth.
They have at least 12 relievers who’ve pitched significant innings in the big leagues. Obviously, a few of those guys will have to start in the minors. Tommy Nance (out of minor-league options) will be given every opportunity to make the team. Rule 5 draft choices Spencer Miles and Angel Bastardo must either make the Opening Day roster or be returned to their former clubs, too.
There’s been a particular buzz surrounding Miles in the early days of camp, but it’s no guarantee he cracks Toronto’s Opening Day roster. He throws 98 mph and performed well at the Arizona Fall League last year, but hasn’t been healthy for a full season in his professional career.
If Miles makes Toronto’s roster, it’ll come at the cost of an optionable reliever like Mason Fluharty or Braydon Fisher, or because García isn’t ready for Opening Day. García, who had elbow surgery in August, is still finishing his rehab and has yet to throw a bullpen session at Jays camp. They hope he can be ready for the start of the season, but there’s no point in rushing him with the glut of other bullpen arms Toronto has.