Jun 29, 2026, 10:37 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that starting pitcher Max Scherzer (back) played catch on Monday and could throw off a mound on Tuesday, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Scherzer was placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-June due to back spasms. Before the back injury, the veteran right-hander missed roughly six weeks with forearm and ankle issues. Scherzer has struggled mightily even when healthy this season, recording a 1-4 record with a 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts across 22 innings (six starts). Scherzer's myriad injury issues may help explain some of his difficulties on the mound. Still, the 41-year-old's days as a reliable starting pitcher option for fantasy managers may be behind him. It's unclear whether Scherzer will require a rehab start before returning to the mound for Toronto, but he will likely remain sidelined through the All-Star break either way.--Will Brady
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi

Jun 27, 2026, 2:11 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber had the start of his 2026 season delayed by an elbow issue, but he was able to return to the mound for Toronto on Tuesday. The 31-year-old struggled in his first outing of the year, allowing nine hits and four earned runs across 3 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros. Bieber was not much better in his minor league rehab outings before returning to the big leagues, allowing 13 earned runs across 17 innings (five starts). Still, Bieber was effective in a small sample size for Toronto in 2025, recording a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts across 40 1/3 innings (seven starts). Bieber's average fastball velocity of 92 miles per hour in his first start of 2026 is right in line with where he sat last season. Fantasy managers should not expect Bieber to provide the same production he once did at his peak, but the veteran right-hander still profiles as a quality waiver wire target.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 26, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

The New York Mets have decided to fire manager Carlos  Mendoza on Friday morning. This comes on the heels of a four-game sweep at home by the Chicago Cubs. After Thursday's loss, the Mets dropped to 34-47 and are 15.0 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East. Mendoza won nearly 90 games during his first year with the Mets, but wasn't able to replicate the same success. The Mets missed the playoffs after some disastrous play down the stretch last season. Mendoza was given the benefit of the doubt, but the team needed to make a move at some point. Andy Green has been appointed as the interim manager. Green spent four years as the San Diego Padres manager from 2016-2019. He probably can't save the Mets' season, but ultimately, the team needed to make a change in the dugout.--Andy Webb
Source: Jon Heyman

Jun 25, 2026, 4:52 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) is heading to Dallas on Friday to receive a cortisone shot in his back to "help alleviate some left-side stuff," manager John Schneider told Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Scherzer threw a bullpen session on Thursday and will return to Toronto over the weekend to figure out his next steps. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer went back on the 15-day injured list last week due to back spasms after recently returning from forearm tendinitis and other issues. The three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star has only made six starts (22 innings) for Toronto this year as he continues to deal with injuries near the end of his career, and he's gone 1-4 with a nightmarish 10.23 ERA (8.78 FIP) and 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks. Scherzer will continue to battle to make it back to the Jays' starting rotation, but fantasy managers should be going after better upside arms. He's rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling

Jun 25, 2026, 2:20 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease has been one of the better arms in baseball so far this season, recording a 4-3 record with a 2.75 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 118 strikeouts across 78 2/3 innings (14 starts). The 30-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list in late May due to a hamstring issue, but he was able to return quickly and has allowed just three earned runs across 16 2/3 innings (three starts) since rejoining the Blue Jays rotation. With a 36.2% strikeout rate, Cease has provided incredible swing-and-miss value for fantasy managers. However, managers may have reason to look to sell high. For one, Cease's 10.7% walk rate seems likely to keep his WHIP higher than one would normally hope from a fantasy ace. If the right-hander's 0.57 HR/9 regresses toward his career norm (1.04 HR/9), his ERA will likely rise. Even in the strikeout category, Cease's 36.2% strikeout rate this season is significantly higher than his previous best of 31.9% in 2021. Cease will likely continue to provide high-end value, but fantasy managers may be able to sell high on him at his peak if they act quickly.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 23, 2026, 2:46 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday and is set to make his 2026 season debut against the Houston Astros. The 31-year-old completed five minor-league rehab starts and reached 80 pitches over five innings in his final appearance. Bieber struggled during that outing, allowing five earned runs on seven hits, four walks, and two home runs while striking out two. However, the control issues appear to have been an outlier after he issued only one walk across his previous four rehab starts. His fastball also averaged 91.8 mph and reached 93 mph, placing his velocity near its usual range. Bieber went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 37:7 K:BB over 40 1/3 innings after returning from Tommy John surgery last season. He is already rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues, but Bieber should be treated as a top waiver-wire pickup wherever he remains available. He should provide reliable ratios, even when his workload is limited.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 22, 2026, 4:53 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) threw a bullpen session on Monday that went well, manager John Schneider told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Scherzer has been recovering from back spasms that sent him to the 15-day injured list last week. Even though the future Hall of Famer has failed to stay healthy towards the end of his career, the Blue Jays believe he could return from his back injury sooner rather than later. Our best guess is that Toronto will take things slowly with the three-time Cy Young winner and hold him out beyond the All-Star break in mid-July. The 41-year-old eight-time All-Star has not pitched well when healthy in 2026 in his second year with Toronto, going 1-4 with a career-worst 10.23 ERA (8.79 FIP) and 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks in 22 innings in just six starts. Given his inability to stay healthy the last two years for the Jays, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Scherzer shifted to a relief role in the second half. He's rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith

Jun 22, 2026, 12:03 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays' series finale against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field was rained out on Sunday, which will push right-hander Shane Bieber's (elbow) 2026 season debut back from Monday to Tuesday against the Houston Astros, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Bieber will be in line for a two-start week in his first week back on the big-league roster, with his second start this week scheduled against the Texas Rangers. Even though the 31-year-old veteran hasn't pitched at all in the big leagues yet this year, he'll be a tempting two-start pitcher right away with two good matchups against Houston and Texas. Bieber went five innings in each of his final two minor-league rehab starts, but he also had a 6.88 ERA and 1.88 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings over his five rehab starts as he worked his way back from right-elbow inflammation. There's will still be plenty of risk for fantasy managers considering starting Bieber this week, despite his strong matchups. The former American League Cy Young winner is currently rostered in 58% of Yahoo leagues, and although he shouldn't be considered a fantasy ace anymore, he should have plenty of value the rest of the way in the right matchups if he can stay healthy.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome

Jun 20, 2026, 1:33 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) has been announced as the starter for Monday's game against the Houston Astros. News of his return came after the 31-year-old threw one final bullpen session on Saturday, erasing any doubt about his readiness to make his 2026 season debut. He previously made five rehab appearances over the past month, with his most recent outing seeing him throw up to 80 pitches. After pitching effectively late in the 2025 season, he experienced forearm fatigue during the offseason. He was later placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation and has been working his way back ever since. The Blue Jays have not yet indicated whether he will be subject to an innings limit or pitch count. However, any sort of restrictions remain possible given his recent injury history.--Dave Funnell - RotoBaller
Source: Arden Zwelling

Jun 19, 2026, 1:23 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are waiting until right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) throws a side session on Saturday before announcing anything officially, but there is a "strong possibility" that he will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start on Monday against the Houston Astros, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. "All signs point towards he'll be ready to go," manager John Schneider said. Bieber said he's happy with how he felt after his last minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, when he reached 80 pitches. The 31-year-old former American League Cy Young winner has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 while recovering from right-elbow inflammation. In his five rehab starts, his overall numbers weren't exactly great, posting a 6.88 ERA with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings pitched, but stuff-wise, he was pleased. The two-time All-Star returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025 in his first year in Toronto to go 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and seven walks in 40 1/3 innings in just seven regular-season starts. Bieber is no longer a fantasy ace, but he should at least be worth a roster spot as rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues, and his matchup for his first start of the season on Monday against Houston is a favorable one.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling

Jun 17, 2026, 3:58 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 14) with back spasms and recalled right-hander Chad Patrick from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Scherzer was scheduled to pitch on Wednesday evening at Fenway Park against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, but right-hander Braydon Fisher will now get the nod. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner just came off the IL last week due to a right-forearm injury, so it's obviously a frustrating development for the future Hall of Famer. Scherzer has only made six starts in 2026 with Toronto and has gone 1-4 with an ugly 10.23 ERA (8.78 FIP) and a 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks in 22 innings pitched. At this point in his career, he just has not been able to stay off the injury report with a long list of different ailments. He most likely will not be back from the IL before the mid-July All-Star break, and at this point, Scherzer returning in the second half as a starter won't be a lock.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Toronto Blue Jays

Jun 17, 2026, 3:46 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) was hit around a little bit in his latest minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, allowing five earned runs on seven hits (two homers) while walking four and striking out two in five innings pitched. Bieber threw only 48 of his 80 pitches for strikes, but the good news is that he was sitting at 92 mph with his fastball in what is expected to be his final rehab start before he rejoins the Blue Jays' starting rotation for his 2026 season debut. The 31-year-old former American League Cy Young winner shouldn't be limited from a pitch-count perspective whenever his first start for the Jays comes, but he'll be a pretty risky fantasy streamer after his command was spotty on Wednesday. The former fourth-round pick in 2016 by the Cleveland Guardians out of the University of California, Santa Barbara, only made two starts in 2024 in his final season in Cleveland before needing Tommy John surgery. Bieber made only seven starts in his first year in Toronto last season, but he had a 4-2 record, 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings. He might need to shake off a little rust, and he's no longer a fantasy ace, but Bieber should have streaming appeal in mixed leagues based on matchups. He's rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues right now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milb.com

Jun 16, 2026, 9:27 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) will make another rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo and is aiming to throw around 75 pitches, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. It may be Bieber's last rehab start before he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut with Toronto. This is your cue to run to the waiver wire and grab the 31-year-old if you could use some veteran rotation depth. Bieber is currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues, and while he is no longer the dominant arm that he was with the Cleveland Guardians earlier in his career, he proved last year with the Jays that he can be useful as a fantasy streamer in the right matchups. In his four rehab starts, the former American League Cy Young winner has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in 12 innings pitched in the Florida Complex League and at Single-A Dunedin and Buffalo.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson

Jun 13, 2026, 12:15 AM ET

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) is likely to make another minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo before rejoining the Blue Jays' starting rotation, manager John Schneider told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Toronto isn't pushing the 31-year-old to make his 2026 season debut, but he should be ready after one more start in the minors. The former American League Cy Young winner looked good in his last rehab start with Buffalo, throwing six scoreless innings with one walk and five strikeouts on Thursday. In four total rehab starts in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and with Buffalo and Single-A Dunedin, Bieber has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in 12 innings thrown. Bieber's impending return to the big leagues will probably be bad news for lefty Patrick Corbin. The two-time All-Star returned from Tommy John surgery to make his Blue Jays debut last year, going 4-2 in seven regular-season starts with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings. Nobody should be expecting him to return to his Cy Young form from back in 2020, but Bieber absolutely has the potential to be a matchup-based streamer in mixed fantasy leagues the rest of the way, and he's currently rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicnolson-Smith