Most likely, Addison Barger will start in right field for the Blue Jays to start the season. Despite playing just 57 games there in 2025, Barger led all American League right fielders with nine outfield assists. He spent the majority of his time at third base, but Toronto signed Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto during the winter.
With Daulton Varsho back healthy and manning centerfield, that leaves left field as the question mark for the Jays. Toronto has several options there. They could go with veteran slugger George Springer in left, but they would prefer to have him DH as much as possible to keep him healthy. That leaves Nathan Lukes, Joey Loperfido, and Davis Schneider as the most viable options for the job.
Loperfido looked good in limited play in 2025. In his second year in the majors, the ex-Houston Astro hit .333 in 104 plate appearances, with four home runs and 14 RBI. He has yet to make an error as a major leaguer in 122 games. Loperfido has yet to prove himself, though, as he has had only 339 major league at-bats and holds a career slash line of just .248/.297/.392.
Most likely, the Blue Jays will go with a platoon of Lukes and Schneider to start the season. Lukes would probably get the starts again righties. He hit .255 last season with 12 homers and 65 RBI in 388 at-bats. He performed well in the postseason, hitting .274 and driving in eight runs in 62 at-bats. Though he has played the most games in right field, Lukes has been used in all three outfield spots. Like Barger, Lukes also showed a good arm, cutting down nine baserunners from the outfield last season.
Schneider had a slow start to his 2025 season and was briefly sent back to Triple-A, but he picked things up to finish with 11 homers, 31 RBI, and 36 walks in 227 plate appearances. Schneider is a righty who actually hits slightly better against righties, but has shown power against both righties and lefties. He could see some time at second base, as well.
Toronto’s Injury Woes
Santander’s health was not the only bad news that the Blue Jays received as they head into spring training. The team got bad news on two of their starting pitchers as well. Bowden Francis will miss the entire 2026 season due to Tommy John surgery on his right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). Recovery is usually 12-18 months.
2025 trade deadline acquisition, Shane Bieber will also start the season on the injured list. Bieber, the 2020 Cy Young winner, is dealing with right forearm fatigue. It is unknown how much time he will miss, but with Bieber just coming back from his own Tommy John surgery late last season, manager John Schneider wants to proceed with caution.
With these three losses, Toronto will face an uphill battle to start the 2026 MLB season. It will be a tough road for the Blue Jays if they want to make it to a second straight World Series.