All articles tagged with #blue jays
The Kansas City Royals defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 to extend their win streak to nine, with timely run-scoring in the fifth and a standout ninth-inning defensive sequence that sealed the win, including a perfect relay to throw out Lukes at the plate for the final out.
Mid-August power rankings show six teams with 98%+ playoff odds while 15 teams remain in the wildcard chase. The Padres have surged, the Blue Jays are back in the mix, the Red Sox are fading, and the Brewers sit atop the rankings as the pennant race tightens across the league.
The Toronto Blue Jays placed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a seven-day concussion IL after he collided with Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr., promoted outfielder Daz Cameron to the majors, and DFA’d pitcher Lazaro Estrada to clear a 40-man spot; Guerrero will miss at least a week as concussion tests confirmed the injury, while Cameron provides outfield depth for Toronto during his recovery.
Toronto claimed veteran reliever Paul Sewald off waivers from Arizona to bolster a thinning bullpen, and recalled Jake Bloss to clear a 40-man spot, placing Bloss on the 60-day IL after UCL surgery rehab; Sewald joins a retooled relief group as the Jays absorb his remaining salary for 2026.
Adley Rutschman debuted for the Red Sox in Toronto, going 1-for-3 with two walks after missing about three weeks with left wrist inflammation and arriving eight days after a blockbuster trade with the Orioles; his presence behind the plate is expected to lift the lineup as Boston tries to snap its three-game skid, while Jake Rogers was designated for assignment.
Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage underwent arthroscopic repair on a left knee meniscus and is listed week to week, with a potential return this season still possible; he previously dealt with shoulder inflammation and owns a 3.65 ERA with 24% strikeouts in 2026.
The Blue Jays placed Jameson Taillon on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tendinitis after a four-inning start since he was acquired, and recalled Chase Lee. Taillon's injury tightens a rotation already dealing with Arrighetti's Morton’s neuroma and Yesavage's IL stint, leaving Simeon Woods Richardson and other depth arms to fill in as the team assesses long-term implications while Cease, Soriano, Scherzer and Bieber are lined up for the next four starts.
During Alumni Weekend, the Phillies lost 5-4 to the Blue Jays despite drawing 10 walks, mustering only four runs and leaving 11 on base as Zack Wheeler labored through 5 1/3 innings (116 pitches) with four runs allowed and a season-high five walks. Toronto's Jose Soriano, in his first start for the Jays, held Philly to two runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Phils loaded the bases in the ninth with no outs but could not capitalize; Bohm grounded into a fielder's choice and Marsh popped out to end the rally. Chase Utley's Wall of Fame ceremony preceded the game, and Jays hitting coach David Popkins was ejected after a heated exchange.
Two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Alex Bregman hit a game-tying two-run homer off Blue Jays closer Louis Varland to force extras, and Pete Crow-Armstrong then used sharp baserunning—stealing second and third and scoring on a miscue—to give the Cubs a 3-2 walk-off win in the 10th over Toronto. Toronto starter Dylan Cease dominated early, but Chicago's bullpen closed it out after the dramatic finish.
Preview of the Cubs vs. Blue Jays makeup game at Wrigley: Toronto’s ace Dylan Cease (2.41 ERA, career-best strikeout rate) starts against Chicago, which fields a lineup with Pete Crow-Armstrong back in center and Seiya Suzuki at DH as David Peterson pitches for the Cubs. The piece highlights Cease’s dominance, the Cubs’ patient approach to work him, and includes notes on injuries and weather for the matchup.
Toronto Blue Jays place pitcher Trey Yesavage on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation, MRI pending; Chad Dallas optioned to Triple-A, Lazaro Estrada recalled, as rotation injuries and deadline moves reshape the staff.
The Blue Jays and Astros are nearing a deal that would send Daulton Varsho to Houston in exchange for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, with Toronto reportedly paying part of Varsho’s $10.75 million salary. Varsho would add a left-handed bat and strong defense to the Astros’ outfield, while Arrighetti—currently dealing with a foot nerve issue and on the IL—would give Toronto added rotation depth and control for several years. The deal hinges on medical reviews and isn’t official yet, as both sides weigh how Varsho’s offense and Arrighetti’s durability fit into their playoff plans.
Blue Jays reportedly drew late trade interest in Jose Soriano after acquiring him from the Angels; Cubs were publicly linked but it’s unclear if they’re still involved. A flip before the 5 p.m. CT deadline seems unlikely given Soriano’s two remaining arbitration years and Toronto’s three-prospect return to the Angels, plus a need to line up another starting-pitcher deal. In short, this looks like due diligence, and Soriano is expected to stay in Toronto through deadline day.
Toronto acquired right-handed starter Jose Soriano from the Angels for a prospect-heavy return led by 20-year-old Arjun Nimmala, plus Eddie Micheletti and Angel Rivero; Soriano is under team control through 2028, giving Toronto a high-ceiling arm to boost its rotation and future plans, while the Angels add a premier infield prospect and depth pieces—Blue Jays graded B+, Angels A.
The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays as a deadline rental, taking on a bit over $7 million of Gausman’s $23 million salary for this season in exchange for a package that reportedly includes Cubs prospects Ty Southisene and Brett Bateman (MLB Pipeline ranking No. 13 and No. 21 in the system). Gausman sports a 4.38 ERA and 1.288 WHIP across 23 starts (127.1 innings) this year, and with about 50 games remaining, Chicago projects roughly 10 starts from him. His first Cubs outing could come against his former club in a makeup game at Wrigley. This deal follows the similarly cash-intensive Taillon exchange with Toronto announced earlier today.