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George Springer Dealing With Left-Shoulder Issue
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) was held out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday against the hosting Athletics due to a left-shoulder issue that also cost him two games in August, among other things, according to Theo DeRosa of MLB.com. "I think it's just kind of that point in the season. He's available today if we need him," manager John Schneider said. Catcher Alejandro Kirk got the start as the designated hitter on Wednesday and was hitting cleanup, with Brandon Valenzuela doing the catching for right-hander Braydon Fisher and batting eighth against A's left-hander Brady Basso. It is the second straight day that Springer has been held out, but it sounds like a day-to-day situation, so the veteran could be back as early as Friday's series opener against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles after a scheduled day off on Thursday to travel back to Toronto. Despite being a little banged up since last month, Springer hit .321 (27-for-84) with an .858 OPS, two homers, six doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, and four steals in 27 games in August. However, he has gone just 3-for-23 (.130) with a walk and five strikeouts so far in six games in September.
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Sean Keys Recalled from Triple-A After Strong August
Toronto Blue Jays corner infield/outfield prospect Sean Keys was rewarded with a call-up on the first day of September after raking at the plate over the better part of the last month. The Jays' sixth-ranked prospect hit .408 over his last 18 games before the promotion, including four doubles, two triples, and six home runs, which was good for a 1.281 OPS during that time. The former fourth-rounder debuted with Toronto in late June, but wasn't able to do much with his limited opportunities, going 6-for-36 (.167), although two of the six hits went for extra bases (one double, one home run). The left-handed hitter predominantly plays the corner infield spots, but manned left field in three of his last four games before the call-up, so that position is an option as well; however, he was absent from Toronto's lineup on Tuesday night, so it remains to be seen where he might play and how regular the at-bats will be. Fantasy managers can take a wait-and-see approach with Keys before deciding to snag him off the waiver wire.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
George Springer Back in Monday's Lineup Against Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and right-hander Sonny Gray, per MLB.com. Springer was held out of the final two games of the series over the weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a left-shoulder injury, but he's back in the starting nine to begin the new week against a pitcher with whom he is very familiar. The 36-year-old has hit .296 with a .943 OPS, two home runs, and five RBI in 27 career at-bats against Gray. Fantasy managers are hoping that will help Springer get out of a funk at the plate. In his first nine games in August, he's gone 6-for-27 (.222) with a .633 OPS, zero home runs, a double, a triple, two RBI, three runs, one steal, three walks, and five strikeouts in 30 plate appearances. The four-time All-Star turned back the clock in 2025 with 32 homers, 84 RBI, and 18 steals during the regular season, but he has come back to Earth in 2026 with a .234/.317/.396 slash line, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and eight steals in 88 games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Springer Out Again With Shoulder Injury
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight game on Sunday against the hosting Philadelphia Phillies due to a left-shoulder injury, according to MLB.com. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will serve as the DH on Sunday and hit second, with Kazuma Okamoto playing first and hitting cleanup for the Jays against Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. The Blue Jays scratched Springer from their lineup on Saturday in Philly, but he came in as a pinch-runner in the extra-inning win, suggesting that his injury is merely a day-to-day situation, so he could return to the starting lineup as early as Monday's series opener at home against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. The 36-year-old four-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner surprised many folks when he hit 32 homers, drove in 84, and stole 18 bases in 140 regular-season games last year, but he's showing signs of offensive decline in 2026, as he enters Sunday's action with a .234/.317/.396 slash line, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and eight stolen bases across his 87 games in his 13th year in the big leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Springer Scratched on Saturday With Shoulder Tightness
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) has been scratched from Saturday's starting lineup against the hosting Philadelphia Phillies due to tightness in his left shoulder, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Springer has been dealing with shoulder tightness for the last couple of days. With Springer starting on the bench, outfielder Jesus Sanchez will serve as Toronto's designated hitter and bat cleanup against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola at Citizens Bank Park. Springer's injury doesn't sound all that serious, but don't be surprised if he's held out again in Sunday's series finale in Philly as a precaution. The Jays start a new series back at home on Monday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. The four-time All-Star hasn't had quite the bounce-back season he had in 2025, as he's hitting just .234/.317/.396 with a .714 OPS, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 40 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 86 games and 378 plate appearances in 2026. Springer did, however, hit .290 (18-for-62) with four homers, two doubles, 13 RBI, nine runs scored, and a steal in 16 games in the month of July.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Brett Bateman Gets the Call as Blue Jays Promote Outfield Prospect
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Brett Bateman was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Toronto acquired the 24-year-old from the Cubs in the Kevin Gausman trade earlier this week. Bateman has hit .311 with a .429 on-base percentage, three home runs, 33 RBI, 61 runs, and 20 stolen bases in 293 Triple-A at-bats this season. Power isn't a big part of his game, but the contact skills, patience, and speed give him a path to fantasy value if Toronto gives him regular at-bats. With Daulton Varsho no longer in the picture, Bateman is worth a look in AL-only and 15-team leagues, with added appeal in OBP formats. Managers in standard 12-team leagues can monitor his playing time before making the move.
Source: Keegan Matheson
Source: Keegan Matheson
Astros Bring in Outfielder Daulton Varsho in Trade With Toronto
The Houston Astros acquired center fielder Daulton Varsho from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Athletic's Mitch Bannon reports that the Astros sent right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (foot) to the Blue Jays in return for Varsho. The 30-year-old Varsho has been a disappointment at the plate this year in Toronto, but he will immediately bolster the Astros' defense in the outfield. In 333 at-bats in 2026 in his seventh year in the majors (fourth with the Blue Jays), Varsho hit a very mediocre .243/.307/.375 with a .682 OPS, seven home runs, 26 RBI, 39 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 99 games across 365 plate appearances. He will be set to reach free agency at the end of the 2026 season, so he might turn out to be just a rental for Houston's playoff run. The former second-rounder by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee really struggled in July, going 17-for-83 (.205) with a .482 OPS, zero homers, three doubles, four RBI, eight runs scored, two steals, four walks, and 10 strikeouts in 24 games. Houston will be hoping that Varsho can be better than that at the plate going forward.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Blue Jays Acquire Shortstop Prospect Ty Southisene From Cubs
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired shortstop prospect Ty Southisene and outfield prospect Brett Bateman from the Chicago Cubs on Sunday in exchange for veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. The 21-year-old Southisene is already ranked as Toronto's No. 17 prospect after hitting a combined .311/.431/.378 with an .809 OPS, zero home runs, 35 RBI, 31 stolen bases, and 58 runs in 65 games (314 plate appearances) with Single-A Myrtle Beach and High-A South Bend in 2026. The 21-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2024 stands at only 5-foot-7, 170 pounds and is extremely patient at the plate and makes a lot of contact. His power is virtually non-existent, though, making him primarily a stolen base asset who is likely a year or two away from a potential MLB debut. Bateman, 24, is now Toronto's No. 20 prospect. The former eighth-rounder in 2023 from the University of Minnesota hit .312/.431/.422 with an .853 OPS, three homers, 33 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 58 runs in 81 games for Triple-A Iowa before the trade. Although Bateman is left-handed, he has a very similar profile to Southisene in that he lacks any real power upside and features plus-plus speed on the basepaths.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Addison Barger Still Not Doing Baseball Activities
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (back, elbow) is still hoping to return this season, but he's currently still not doing any baseball activities, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Per manager John Schneider, August is a best-case scenario for Barger's return from the 10-day injured list. It's been a lost season for the 26-year-old left-handed hitter, as he's appeared in only nine games for Toronto due to ankle, back, and elbow injuries. At this point, it's extremely hard to recommend holding the former sixth-rounder in 2018 in even deep-mixed fantasy leagues. Barger has gone 1-for-22 at the plate with two RBI, five walks, and five strikeouts in his nine games earlier this season after slashing .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 135 regular-season games in 2025 in his first full year in the big leagues. He's only rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues at the moment and doesn't have a clear timetable for a return in the second half of the season.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Daulton Varsho Carries Five-Category Upside on the Waiver Wire
Across 287 plate appearances so far this season, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is hitting .246/.314/.404 with seven home runs, 23 RBI, 32 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Varsho has dealt with nagging injury issues in recent seasons, so health risk is a part of his profile. However, the 30-year-old has largely stayed on the field in 2026, outside of a short stint on the injured list due to a wrist ailment. Varsho has sacrificed power for increased contact ability this year, as his barrel rate has dropped from 15.9% to 6.5% and his strikeout rate has fallen from 28.4% to 20.9%. While that tradeoff is not ideal for fantasy managers, Varsho carries latent power upside. If he can find the right balance of contact and power in the second half of the season, he could provide five-category production for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Springer Reinstated but Not Starting on Monday
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Monday that they reinstated designated hitter/outfielder George Springer from the family medical emergency list and placed right-hander Braydon Fisher on the bereavement list in a corresponding move. Springer is active for Monday's series opener in San Francisco against the Giants, but he is not in the starting lineup. Sean Keys is serving as the DH and is batting fifth against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. Fantasy managers should expect Spring to be back in Toronto's starting lineup for Game 2 of the series at Oracle Park on Tuesday. The 36-year-old four-time All-Star has mostly struggled in 2026 after a resurgent season last year that saw him hit .309/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS, 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games before helping the Jays reach the World Series. He comes into Monday's game hitting just .221 (54-for-244) in 2026 with eight homers, 21 RBI, and six steals in 63 games. Fantasy managers will be hoping that Springer can pick up where he left off before leaving the team for personal reasons. Springer went 16-for-57 (.281) with two homers, a double, a triple, five RBI, eight runs, and three steals in his last 14 games, dating back to June 14.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer Being Placed on Family Medical Emergency List
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer's paternity leave is up on Saturday, but he's now being placed on the family medical emergency list, which is purely transactional, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Springer is "tying up some loose ends," according to manager John Schneider. He will miss the rest of the weekend series in Seattle against the Mariners and will likely rejoin the club for the series opener on Monday versus the San Francisco Giants. The 36-year-old four-time All-Star needs a little more personal time after welcoming a new addition to the family this week. It might actually be good for Springer to get some time away. After a resurgence in 2025 that saw him hit 32 home runs, drive in 84, and steal 18 bases in 140 regular-season games before leading the Jays to the World Series, he has struggled in 2026, slashing .221/.308/.373 with a .681 OPS, eight homers, 21 RBI, and six steals in 63 games played.
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
George Springer Lands on Paternity List
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder/designated hitter George Springer on the paternity list and recalled outfielder Jonatan Clase from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. With Springer now away from the team for the birth of his child, Sean Keys will serve as the DH for Wednesday's series finale against the New York Mets and right-hander Freddy Peralta at the Rogers Centre. Springer will be away from the team for up to three days, so he could miss most of the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners that starts on Friday, July 3. The 36-year-old veteran and four-time All-Star hasn't been able to replicate his resurgent 2025 campaign, when he hit .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games. Through 63 contests and 279 plate appearances in 2026, the 13-year veteran is slashing just .221/.308/.373 with a .681 OPS, eight home runs, 21 RBI, 29 runs, and six steals. Fantasy managers should not be expecting him to return to his 2025 form in the second half.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Daulton Varsho a Must-Add Outfielder Ahead of Potential Second-Half Breakout
Across 267 plate appearances in 2026, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is hitting .258/.330/.425 with seven home runs, 22 RBI, 31 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. The oft-injured Varsho hit the 10-day injured list earlier this month with a wrist issue, but he returned as soon as eligible and has largely stayed healthy otherwise this season. Varsho's power is down in 2026, as he's logged a 7% barrel rate after posting a 15.9% barrel rate in 2025. However, he's cut his strikeout rate to a career-best 21%, which has helped raise his batting average floor. Varsho is also slugging .472 in June and has three stolen bases this month despite the missed time. If his power/speed profile fully returns in the second half of the season, Varsho could be a highly valuable five-category contributor for fantasy managers. In leagues where he remains available, Varsho should be a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Addison Barger Suffers Setback, Will Be Shut Down for Multiple Weeks
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that outfielder/third baseman Addison Barger (elbow, back) suffered a stress reaction in his back and will be shut down for a couple of weeks, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Barger was working his way back from an elbow injury that has sidelined him since early May, but it appears he will remain on the shelf through the All-Star break at the least. It's been a nightmarish season so far for Barger, who also missed time earlier in the year with an ankle issue and has logged just 28 MLB plate appearances in 2026. The 26-year-old emerged as a quality big-side platoon bat in 2025, hitting .243 with 21 home runs across 502 plate appearances. Without him, Toronto will likely continue to rely on Nathan Lukes and Yohendrick Pinango as their primary corner outfielders.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
