Spring continues with some WBC mixed in

Saturday, March 07 2026 @ 05:46 PM EST

So the Jays are playing without an infield (well, the regulars at least) and the WBC is underway with Canada having a real shot at making it past the first round for once.

So where are the Jays at? OPS in brackets for the dead locks

• C: Kirk (697)/Heineman (444) - still healthy, still getting ready with the battle being for 3rd catcher - Brandon Valenzuela on the 40, 4 for 12 with 3 walks in 6 games is the leader. Robert Brooks 2 for 5 in 3 games, Aaron Parker 2 for 6 in 5 games, C.J. Stubbs 2 for 6 in 4 games, Geovanny Planchart 0 for 3 in 3 games, Edward Duran 0 for 3 in 2 games, covers everyone catching. Seems Valenzuela has the 3rd slot locked in as far as the Jays are concerned.
• IF: Vlad (944)/Clement (1383)/Gimenez (1060)/Okamoto (1289) locked in stone. L Jimenez (658 in 11 AB in 6 games) has a real shot (bats R could be a nice platoon partner for Gimenez) as it is make the team or be lost on waivers. Nice surprises are Rafael Lantigua (1188 over 17 AB in 11 G), Carlos Mendoza (1101 over 13 AB in 10 G), Josh Kasevich (1088 over 18 AB in 10 G) and Charles McAdoo (988 in 19 AB over 11 G).
• OF: Varsho (1278)/Springer (1167 in 6 AB in 3 G)/Barger (792) are getting ready, while Straw (439)/Schneider (381)/Lukes (686) are hoping to keep their jobs. Clase (717 in 15 AB in 7 G), Eloy Jiménez (947 in 26 AB 10 G), Jesús Sánchez (547 in 22 AB 8 G) are fighting hard to claim one of those slots in LF (expected platoon with Straw as backup for Varsho). The more I see of E Jimenez the more I like, he was one of the top prospects in the game when Vlad came up but was injured a lot over the years so who knows?
• SP: Massive list - Berrios (3.38 ERA - only one with 7+ IP at 10 2/3), Lauer (7.20), Scherzer (0.00), Cease (5.40), Gausman (0.00), Ponce (3.00) plus not pitching until who knows when (Yesavage, Bieber). Bit worried about Yesavage not pitching yet, but wouldn't be shocked if he and Bieber are on the IL to start the season so the rest can get a few innings in during April.
• RP: Stats are meaningless really, with none having over 6 IP yet. Rogers in 5 G, 4 each for Jorge Alcala, Javen Coleman, Chase Lee, and Michael Plassmeyer. Normally being used a lot is a good sign for guys - means the team wants to see what they have. But this early on it also could just mean these are the guys who are healthy. The locks are Hoffman-Rogers-Varland-Little with at least 2 slots eaten by 'starters' (Lauer and one other) I suspect. Leaves 2 spots for Fisher, Estrada, Fluharty, Lee and the no options crew: Nance, Bastardo, Miles. Bastardo only has to be up for 90 days to be locked into the system (then can be demoted without losing him) so I suspect he makes it. The rest ... who knows? And least we forget Yariel Rodríguez who will be a very expensive part in Buffalo if not kept up.

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