RADIO
Blue Jays View Ricky Tiedemann as a Reliever
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Tiedemann, once one of the most promising starting-pitching prospects in all of baseball, is slated for the bullpen going forward, with the Blue Jays "thinking of him as a reliever," general manager Ross Atkins said, per Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. "I would love for him to somehow do something to change that. But most likely thinking about him as a reliever, could grow into some bulkier outings," Atkins said. The 24-year-old southpaw appeared in five games for Toronto out of the bullpen in 2026 after missing the majority of the previous two seasons after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. The former third-rounder's upside was through the roof, but his inability to stay healthy has persuaded the Jays to limit his exposure in a relief role. In his five outings for the Blue Jays this year, he gave up one run while striking out eight and walking six in six innings. His 39.1% strikeout rate in the minors makes him intriguing, but his injury history and limited experience since being drafted in 2021 make him a wild card for fantasy purposes.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Jameson Taillon Set to Undergo Elbow Surgery
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jameson Taillon (elbow) will undergo a flexor repair surgery that could involve an internal brace procedure on Monday, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Taillon suffered a season-ending elbow injury in early September and could now be in line to miss a significant chunk of 2027 as well. The 34-year-old struggled in 2026, recording a 2-6 record with a 5.65 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts across 86 innings (18 starts) split between Toronto and the Chicago Cubs. Taillon is set to hit free agency this winter, so he may have trouble landing a contract until he can show he is fully healthy. Still, Davidi notes that the veteran right-hander intends to continue pitching once he recovers from his current injury.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has Laser Eye Surgery
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (eye) has undergone laser eye surgery early in the offseason, according to Sportsnet. Guerrero had a season to forget in 2026 after coming extremely close to winning the World Series the fall prior, and he was one of the biggest busts overall in fantasy baseball. The right-handed slugger had full-season career lows in batting average (.260), on-base percentage (.332), OPS (.688), home runs (nine), and RBI (57). Guerrero drew 56 walks in 609 plate appearances, his lowest total in a full season since he was a rookie in 2019. With one of their biggest stars struggling, the Blue Jays failed to make the playoffs after their deep postseason run the year before. Toronto and Guerrero are hoping that his laser-eye surgery will help his overall numbers in 2027 as the team looks to get back to the postseason. Guerrero's lack of power was the most concerning part of his struggles this year, and it is unclear if eye surgery will be able to fix that as he heads into his ninth season in the major leagues. He will definitely come at more of a discount in fantasy drafts next spring.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Ernie Clement Not Assured of Blue Jays Second Base Job Entering 2027
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that infielder Ernie Clement "will have to earn" the team's starting second base job in 2027, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. After being one of the heroes of Toronto's run to a World Series appearance in 2025, Clement's numbers regressed in 2026. Across 621 plate appearances this past season, the 30-year-old hit .259/.285/.364 with nine home runs, 48 RBI, 60 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Perhaps most concerningly for Toronto, his defensive metrics plummeted after he graded out as a plus defender in 2025. Clement rarely strikes out (9.3% strikeout rate) and can line up all over the diamond, which makes him a valuable piece for the Blue Jays. However, the 30-year-old may be best suited for a utility role in Toronto going forward.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Dylan Cease Expects to be Ready for Spring Training
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease (shoulder) said that he will take some downtime over the next few weeks to allow the inflammation in his shoulder to subside. However, the 30-year-old also expects to have a relatively normal offseason, hopefully alleviating any long-term concerns about a major injury. With surgery currently off the table, the belief is that time away from throwing will give his shoulder what it needs to return to full health. With the expectation that he will be ready for Opening Day in 2027, he is someone to remember at the top end of drafts come draft day, as his track record for endurance is unparalleled. That being said, how he responds to a ramp-up in the winter will be a key indicator of whether this shoulder issue is truly behind him. He will finish the 2026 season with 239 strikeouts over 169.0 innings pitched, along with an impressive 2.40 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 11 wins.
Source: Arden Zwelling
Source: Arden Zwelling
Dylan Cease Ends his Season on the Injured List
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed right-hander Dylan Cease (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 20) with inflammation in his right shoulder and recalled right-handers Chase Lee and CJ Van Eyk from Triple-A Buffalo in corresponding moves. With the Blue Jays eliminated from postseason contention, they will shut Cease down for the final week of the regular season. The Blue Jays already announced this week that the 30-year-old All-Star will not need surgery on his shoulder, so he should be ready in plenty of time for spring training next year. Cease really liked pitching north of the border in his first year with the Jays in 2026, as he went 11-6 with a 2.40 ERA (league-best 2.55 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with a career-high 239 strikeouts and 78 walks in 169 innings across 29 starts in his eighth season in the majors. He now has six straight seasons with 200-plus strikeouts, making Cease an extremely attractive strikeout arm in fantasy baseball drafts next spring.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a Late Addition to Game 1 Lineup
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) was a late addition to the team's starting lineup for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, according to MLB.com. Guerrero made the start at first base and is hitting second against Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt. After being pulled from Sunday's series finale against the Texas Rangers with lower-back tightness, Guerrero was not scheduled to be in Tuesday's lineup before the game was postponed due to inclement weather. He was also not initially in the starting nine for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader at Camden Yards. Guerrero felt good while hitting before the game and convinced the coaching staff to let him play as Toronto's slim hopes of making the playoffs dim with each day. The 27-year-old is now just looking to finish strong after an extremely disappointing 2026 campaign. The six-time All-Star enters play Wednesday with just nine home runs in 529 at-bats while slashing .263/.336/.359.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Out for Game 1 of Wednesday's Doubleheader
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) remains out of action for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader at Camden Yards against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, per MLB.com. Sean Keys will make another start at first base and will bat fifth against Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt. Guerrero is considered day-to-day right now in the final week of the regular season after departing Sunday's game early against the Texas Rangers due to tightness in his lower back. It is something that the 27-year-old Canadian slugger has already dealt with this year, and it could explain why the six-time All-Star has had a very disappointing 2026 campaign. Guerrero enters play on Wednesday with a .263/.336/.359 slash line, a .695 OPS, only nine home runs, 56 RBI, 71 runs scored, and seven steals across his 529 at-bats. Toronto entered play on Wednesday four games out of the final wild-card spot in the American League and on the brink of elimination. If they lose the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader, Guerrero could be shut down for the rest of the week.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dylan Cease Will Not Need Shoulder Surgery
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease (shoulder) said he will not need surgery on his right shoulder following his MRI results, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Cease is now in "limbo" on what his next steps are, depending on where the team is in the American League playoff picture. The talented right-hander described his shoulder feeling as a "bit heavy and achy and not normal. But at the same time, it didn't feel like it was torn... not something I need surgery for or anything like that. It was just inflammation, just the kind of that middle ground." Toronto heads into Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles three games back of the final wild-card spot in the AL with six games left to play. If the Jays are still alive by the weekend, Cease could make his final start of the 2026 season at home against the Cincinnati Reds. The 30-year-old has had a banner year in Toronto in his first year with the club, going 11-6 with a 2.40 ERA, league-leading 2.55 FIP, a 1.10 WHIP, a career-high 239 strikeouts, and 78 walks in 169 innings and 29 starts.
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Out of Toronto's Lineup on Monday
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is missing from the team's starting nine for Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, per MLB.com. Sean Keys will make the start at first base for Toronto and will bat fifth against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz at Camden Yards. Guerrero is dealing with more lower-back tightness and will sit out to begin the week after he was pulled from Sunday's game early against the Texas Rangers. Vladdy is considered day-to-day for now, but with Toronto's postseason hopes hanging by a thread going into the final week of the regular season, he could be shut down any day now if the Blue Jays are eliminated. Although Guerrero has looked much better in 18 games in September, the 2026 campaign has been a bitter disappointment for the 27-year-old Canadian, as he is currently slashing .263/.336/.359 with a .695 OPS, only nine home runs, 56 RBI, 71 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 529 at-bats. He has not hit more than two home runs in any month this season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Exits Early on Sunday with Lower-Back Tightness
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) was removed early from his team's win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday with lower-back tightness, per Hazel Mae of MLB International. Guerrero Jr. had one hit in two plate appearances before exiting the game. The 27-year-old has had a disappointing season in 2026, hitting .262/.335/.359 with nine home runs, 56 RBI, 71 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. After posting a 12.2% barrel rate and a .506 xSLG in 2025, Guerrero Jr. has logged a 7.0% barrel rate and a .406 xSLG this season. The star first baseman has been a bit better in September, hitting .292 with a .796 OPS across his first 74 plate appearances this month. If Guerrero Jr. is forced to miss time, Blue Jays infielder/outfielder Charles McAdoo could be in line for an increase in playing time.
Source: MLB International - Hazel Mae
Source: MLB International - Hazel Mae
Dylan Cease to Miss Next Start Due to Shoulder Injury
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease (shoulder) will not make his next start on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles after undergoing an MRI exam on his right shoulder on Saturday night, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Cease will meet the team in Baltimore. Manager John Schneider is not ruling out Cease making a start against the Cincinnati Reds next weekend. Cease said his shoulder felt "fatigued," and he allowed four runs (one earned) while walking six in just 2 2/3 innings in his most recent outing on Friday against the Texas Rangers. It is a bad time for the Blue Jays to be without one of the best all-around pitchers in baseball this year, but they are also on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention. Despite his tough outing on Friday, the 30-year-old Cease has been outstanding in 2026 in his first year in Toronto, going 11-6 with a 2.40 ERA (league-leading 2.55 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with a league-high 239 strikeouts and 78 walks in 169 innings (29 starts). The Jays entered Sunday's action three games out of the final wild-card spot in the American League.
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Trey Yesavage to Start on Monday
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Trey Yesavage (knee) is scheduled to start against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. Yesavage has been out since August after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He only made one rehab appearance at Triple-A Buffalo before getting cleared to pitch for the big league club. The Jays plan to have Yesavage pitch roughly three innings or around 45 to 50 pitches. Spencer Miles is expected to take over for the bulk of the innings after Yesavage is done. It'll be interesting to see if the Jays decide to shut down Yesavage if they do get eliminated from playoff contention. Until then, it sounds like the right-hander is going to contribute here soon.
Source: Arden Zwelling
Source: Arden Zwelling
Shane Bieber is Unlikely to Pitch in Regular Season
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said on Friday that it would be tough for starting pitcher Shane Bieber (shoulder) to return before the end of the regular season, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Bieber is scheduled to throw a side session on Saturday, so the Jays should have a better idea about his status after that. The right-hander has been sidelined since late August due to shoulder inflammation. He probably doesn't have time to build up into a starter again, so if he returns, Bieber would likely pitch in a limited role. Fantasy managers in redraft formats are probably safe to move on at this point.
Source: Hazel Mae
Source: Hazel Mae
JoJo Parker Hitting Nicely at High-A Vancouver
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop prospect JoJo Parker has shown off his hitting skills at High-A Vancouver since his recent call-up at age 20. In 21 games at Vancouver, Parker is hitting .316, which is a big improvement from his .256 batting average at Single-A Dunedin for most of the year. Parker has combined across both levels to steal 28 bases this season and score 85 runs. The left-handed hitter is the top overall prospect for the Blue Jays and has a 55-grade hit tool and 55-grade power. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Parker has nice size at the shortstop position and has done enough with his bat and on the basepaths to prove why he is so highly regarded as a prospect. Look for Parker to debut with the Blue Jays in a few years, and he should be added to the list of future star fantasy shortstops.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
