Jonatan Clase: Everything you need to know

The Blue Jays optioned Clase to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday. Clase was a longshot candidate to make the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old will start the season in the minors but would be a top candidate for a major-league call-up if Toronto requires additional depth in the outfield. Clase appeared in 34 regular-season games for the Blue Jays in 2025, with most of those appearances taking place between early May and late June. He posted a .588 OPS with three steals, two home runs and nine RBI in 112 major-league plate appearances last year.

The Blue Jays optioned Clase to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday. Clase had been seeing fairly steady playing time in the Toronto outfield since being promoted from Triple-A on May 7, but he slashed a dismal .219/.299/.313 with two home runs and three stolen bases in 34 games. In a corresponding move, Toronto recalled Leo Jimenez to provide depth in the middle infield while shortstop Bo Bichette is day-to-day with a knee injury, but Myles Straw, Davis Schneider and Will Wagner may be more likely candidates to benefit from added opportunities in the outfield or at designated hitter now that Clase is out of the mix.

Clase will start in left field and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Yankees. Clase had been on track to open Monday's contest in a reserve role, but he'll end up starting as a result of the lineup reshuffling that was created by Bo Bichette (knee) being scratched. The 23-year-old will pick up his fourth start in five games, but he'll likely see his opportunities dwindle once one or both of Daulton Varsho (hamstring) or Anthony Santander (shoulder) return from the injured list.