According to the Blue Jays on X, “ROSTER MOVES: OF George Springer reinstated from 10-day IL and will be active today. 1B/OF Eloy Jimenez designated for assignment.” The transaction immediately reshapes the club’s lineup options heading into a key divisional game.

Springer returns to the active roster after dealing with injury issues early in the season, where he posted a .185 batting average with a .290 on-base percentage and a .660 OPS across 54 at-bats, along with two home runs and six RBIs. His presence is expected to provide an immediate boost to the top of the order, just as the Blue Jays await the return of Max Scherzer, who recently opened up after an injury setback.

Jimenez, meanwhile, struggled to carve out consistent production during his limited opportunity. He hit .290 with a .343 OBP and a .633 OPS in 31 at-bats, recording nine hits but no home runs or stolen bases before the roster decision was made.

Blue Jays look to reset amid slow start

Toronto’s 13-16 record reflects an inconsistent offensive rhythm, prompting ongoing roster adjustments as the team searches for stability. The return of Springer is viewed as a key step toward strengthening a lineup that has lacked sustained production. As the season develops, roster flexibility and performance consistency will remain key themes for a Blue Jays team still searching for its identity in 2026.

Scherzer, who recently addressed a forearm issue as John Schneider showed support, spoke candidly about the situation, explaining that both problems contributed to the decision to shut him down. “I could just tell I wasn’t right. Pete was right there and we both saw it. We just didn’t feel I was in a good enough spot to go forward,” he said, referring to pitching coach Pete Walker, according to MLB.com. “It’s early in the season, and this is just a point in time where I can get right.”

The 2026 season has been challenging for Scherzer, who has struggled significantly since his second start, originally shortened as a precaution. Over his last four outings, he allowed 19 earned runs in just 12.2 innings, while also dealing with recurring discomfort that ultimately escalated into a two-part injury issue.

Scherzer details “double setback” affecting performance

While the forearm issue initially drew attention, Scherzer revealed that his ankle became a bigger concern during recent starts. He noticed mechanical adjustments while pitching, which affected his delivery and consistency on the mound.

“My forearm was good, but I stepped out of bed and almost fell over because my foot was killing me,” Scherzer said. “I’ve been aggressively trying to get my foot back underneath me.” He described the situation as a “double whammy,” noting that managing both injuries at the same time made continued pitching too risky early in the season.

Despite the challenges, the organization is hoping that a healthier return timeline for key arms will stabilize the rotation. For now, Scherzer’s focus is on recovery, with no further imaging or injections currently required, only rest and rehabilitation as he works his way back.

The veteran right-hander took the demotion in stride, telling reporter Mitch Bannon that it is ultimately “Schneider’s ship” and he is willing to do whatever is asked. Hoffman noted that his goal is to “put the team in the best position to win,” acknowledging that, for the moment, he isn’t the best fit for the closer role.

The Blue Jays are dealing with questions surrounding their starting rotation, especially after Max Scherzer addressed his forearm issues with the support of John Schneider following a rough start. Hoffman echoed this team-first mentality, stating, “I’m not going to get too shaken about it. We have plenty of guys who are doing it better.”

John Schneider about Hoffman situation

The Blue Jays’ new “closer by committee” approach will feature a heavy rotation of arms rather than a single replacement. While Louis Varland has been dominant with a 0.00 ERA, Atkins clarified that the ninth inning will be a “shared responsibility” among several pitchers rather than just one man.

Among the candidates to bridge the gap are Tyler Rogers, who carries a stellar 0.84 ERA, and Braydon Fisher, who has impressed with a 0.93 mark. The committee will also likely lean on Mason Fluharty and his elite 1.29 FIP to navigate high-leverage situations against tough left-handed bats.

Hoffman remains optimistic about his future, suggesting that the coaching staff can “reevaluate periodically” as he works through his current mechanical adjustments. For now, Toronto will rely on its depth to stabilize a bullpen that has struggled with consistency throughout the early part of the 2026 MLB season.

The future Hall of Famer expressed a gritty mindset following the loss, noting that he needs to watch the tape and get back to work immediately. He compared the experience to getting punched in the face, emphasizing the need to “spit it out” and figure out exactly what went wrong.

While Scherzer is just one strikeout away from the 3,500 mark, his performance has dipped significantly with a 9.64 ERA across five starts this season. He remains focused on the mechanics of his delivery rather than using his forearm as an excuse for the recent lack of command.

John Schneider about Scherzer situation

Blue Jays manager John Schneider echoed his pitcher’s sentiment, stating he doesn’t believe Scherzer is dealing with anything terrible from a physical standpoint. Schneider noted that the veteran simply “got it handed to him” in a rough first inning where the Guardians took advantage of every mistake.

The manager joked that the “baseball gods” might be holding off on the 3,500th strikeout, as Cleveland hitters laid off close pitches and took aggressive, productive swings. Scherzer struggled to find a feel for his secondary pitches, specifically failing to locate his trademark curveball and slider effectively.

Toronto currently sits fourth in the AL East with a 10-15 record, and the rotation is under immense pressure with several starters on the injured list. Schneider emphasized that the Guardians deserve credit for their approach, while the team investigates if Scherzer is unintentionally “giving anything away” on the mound.

According to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, Gausman could become a surprising name to watch if the Blue Jays fall out of contention. “It seems unlikely, but factor in all the injuries and some of the surprising performances in 2025, and it’s not out of the question that the Jays just have one of those down years,” Schoenfield wrote, pointing to a scenario where Toronto could shift into a selling position.

The discussion is notable because Gausman has been one of the most reliable arms in the Blue Jays’ rotation and remains a key figure in their pitching staff. And as pitching mindsets continue to draw attention across MLB, highlighted recently when Max Scherzer called out mindset amid rough start, Gausman’s name has surfaced as a potential high‑value asset if Toronto shifts direction.

Gausman continues elite production amid speculation

Despite trade rumors, Gausman has remained highly effective on the mound. Through five starts, he owns a 2.54 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP, striking out 35 batters while issuing just six walks over 28.1 innings pitched.

Blue Jays’ season trajectory will determine deadline direction

Toronto’s approach at the trade deadline will ultimately depend on how the team performs over the coming months. If the Blue Jays manage to stabilize their play, Gausman is expected to remain a central part of their rotation in a push for postseason contention.

However, if struggles continue, the front office could be forced to explore difficult roster decisions. In that case, Gausman would immediately become one of the top pitching targets on the market, likely drawing strong interest from contenders looking for a proven postseason-caliber starter.

Keegan Matheson shared Schneider’s comments on X: “John Schneider: ‘I know there may be people who don’t want to hear this, but I’ve got a lot of trust and confidence in Jeff Hoffman.’ ‘If there’s a situation to close out a game, I’ll take Jeff Hoffman.’”

Based on Schneider’s words, Hoffman should feel some level of reassurance, but his recent results haven’t been there. He allowed two earned runs against the Milwaukee Brewers and then four more against Arizona, pushing his ERA up to 7.71 on the season.

Scherzer backs Hoffman

Max Scherzer, who started the game and delivered a sharp outing with two earned runs over 6.0 innings, also made it clear the clubhouse still believes in Hoffman despite the rough moment following Carroll’s grand slam.

“We all believe in him. We all love him. We all believe he’s going to figure it out and get big outs for us. That’s never going to change,” Scherzer said after the game. The Blue Jays are now slipping deeper into a tough stretch, dropping their 12th game in 15 tries.

Hoffman, like Scherzer at times this season, has struggled on the mound. Among Toronto pitchers, only Dylan Cease (1.74 ERA through four starts) and Kevin Gausman (2.42 ERA) have delivered consistent results, but even that hasn’t been enough to translate into wins.

His comments were shared by Keegan Matheson on X: “John Schneider on the offence: ‘We need some extra-base hits. We need to slug.’ ‘We need to get back to everyone doing their part, whether it’s contact or slug. It seems like we’re missing that extra-base hit right now.’”

Toronto’s extra-base hit production has been underwhelming early in the season, with 29 through 18 games. That issue showed up during their series against the Milwaukee Brewers, where they managed to win just two games, and notably, their first win in that set came behind a surge of seven extra-base hits.

The Blue Jays aren’t as bad as they look

As Schneider pointed out, the lineup has struggled, but the numbers suggest the situation isn’t entirely bleak. The Blue Jays currently hold a .241 team batting average, ranking around the middle of the league, and have hit 16 home runs, tied with the Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays.

In the specific category Schneider emphasized, extra-base hits, Toronto sits 13th in the MLB, just one behind the Philadelphia Phillies, another team dealing with its own inconsistencies.

There are also positives. As of April 17, the Blue Jays have the fewest strikeouts in the league, with just 125 in 613 at-bats across 18 games. They also rank second in stolen bases, showing that while power has lagged, the offense is still generating opportunities in other ways.

“George Springer (toe) has resumed swinging in the visitors’ batting cages in Milwaukee; taking flips and hitting off a tee for now. Running will be his biggest test. But it’s possible Springer’s ready to be activated from IL around beginning of Blue Jays homestand next Friday,” Arden Zwelling reported on X.

At the time of his injury, Springer was hitting .185 with two home runs and six RBIs, a slow start for a team currently sitting at 7-11 and in need of healthier pieces to turn things around.

Do the Blue Jays urgently need Springer?

So far, Springer’s absence hasn’t been the team’s biggest issue. His spot has been filled by Eloy Jimenez, Kazuma Okamoto, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. during the series against the Milwaukee Brewers, but the production has been minimal, just one hit and two walks combined.

The designated hitter position hasn’t been the primary concern for Toronto early in the 2026 season. The bigger issue is getting more consistent production across the lineup. While Springer brings veteran experience, the team’s depth chart has enough options to cover that role in the short term.

The hope is that once he returns, Springer can resemble his 2025 form, when he finished with a .309 batting average, 32 home runs, his third-best mark in that category, and 84 RBIs, production that made a clear impact.

Hazel Mae shared Scherzer’s comments from April 12 on X: “Max Scherzer on the Blue Jays’ 6-9 start to the season: ‘whether you’re hurt, whether you’re not, when you have something, whether you don’t, no one cares. This is about going out there and winning ball games.’”

Scherzer recently took full accountability for one of his worst outings of the season, making it clear he’s part of the problem as well. That accountability now shapes his message, focusing on what the team must do to turn things around.

A slow start, but not unfamiliar

The Blue Jays’ first 15 games of 2026 closely mirror last season’s trajectory. At this same point in 2025, they were 8-7, and it wasn’t until June that they began to find consistency, eventually reaching 46-38 by the end of that month.

The pattern goes back even further. In 2024, Toronto also stumbled out of the gate but never recovered, finishing 74-88 and missing the postseason, a season in which Scherzer was not part of the roster.

Now, despite the absence of Bo Bichette, the team still features established stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a core group familiar with the organization. That foundation suggests there’s still a path forward if they can stabilize their play.

The report came from Hazel Mae on X: “Max Scherzer on Sunday’s disappointing outing: ‘(I) lost the ball game. I can look at myself in the mirror, and I’m accountable for how I go out there and execute. Today I didn’t get it done.’”

Scherzer entered that game with a 2.55 ERA, but after the rough outing, his ERA jumped to 9.58, making him a clear target for criticism following the series loss to Minnesota at home.

A tough series for the Blue Jays

Over the three-game set against the Twins, Toronto relied on Patrick Corbin, Eric Lauer, and Scherzer to deliver at home. In the end, Corbin was the only one who managed to secure a win, while Lauer also had a difficult outing.

Scherzer hadn’t had such a rough performance in terms of earned runs with Toronto since September 2025, when the Blue Jays were crushed 20-1 by the Kansas City Royals on the road. In that game, he allowed seven earned runs in just 0.2 innings, his worst regular-season outing with the team last year.

When will Scherzer return to the mound?

According to the team’s schedule, the Blue Jays expect Scherzer to make his next start in Game 2 of their road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 18, giving the veteran time to rest and reset before his next opportunity.

The report came from Hazel Mae on X: “Daulton Varsho has been asked by many fans to change his walk up song, ‘Ordinary’ by Alex Warren. ‘I’m not changing it. My daughter loves the song, so I’m putting it out there, I’m not changing it.’”

The song isn’t entirely new to Varsho. Last season, according to WalkUpDB, a site that tracks MLB players’ walk-up music, he cycled through several tracks, including “My Promise Land” by Josiah Queen and “Bottle Rocket” by Chris Hennessee.

Is “Ordinary” actually a bad walk-up song?

“Ordinary” by Alex Warren is widely popular online, with more than 60 million views on its official lyric video on YouTube. It’s also frequently used across social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X, making it instantly recognizable.

The track even reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Songs of the Summer chart in 2025. Still, in MLB terms, WalkUpDB shows Varsho is the only player currently using it, as it’s not the typical high-energy “pump-up” track fans expect in stadiums, where hip-hop, rock, or heavy metal are more common.

Among Blue Jays players, musical tastes vary widely, ranging from Meek Mill, Drake, Travis Scott, and Rick Ross to Linkin Park. Ernie Clement, for example, is using “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” by KISS this season, after previously walking up to Akon’s “Angel” in 2025.