The Toronto Blue Jays are close to getting healthy.
Toronto got George Springer back from his IL stint earlier this week, but he got hit by a pitch on Saturday, which forced him out of the game. On Sunday, however, the Blue Jays announced Addison Barger has been sent down to Single-A Dundein to begin his rehab assignment.
Barger was placed on IL on April 7 due to a left ankle sprain, but was dealing with an injury to both ankles. The slugger is a huge part of the Blue Jays lineup, and Toronto’s offense has missed him.
Yet, by beginning his rehab assignment on Sunday, Barger could very well be back with the Blue Jays in the next week or so.
Before going on the IL, Barger was hitting .053 with 0 home runs and 2 RBIs. Yet, when healthy, he’s an impactful bat as he hit .243 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs last season.
Toronto is set for the series finale of its four-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. The Blue Jays are looking for a series win.
Barger Rehab Assignment Won’t be Long
Although Barger has been out for nearly a month, his rehab assignment isn’t expected to be lengthy.
On Thursday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider spoke to the media and revealed Barger was getting close to a rehab assignment.
“Addison Barger will run the bases tomorrow and then play for low-A Dunedin on Sunday, said manager John Schneider. Could be two, three games, depends on what he needs. A return to Blue Jays next homestand is possible,” Blue Jays reporter Shi Davidi wrote on X.
If Barger only needs a couple of games, he could be activated off the IL for Toronto’s weekend home series against the Los Angeles Angels.
Barger returning to the Blue Jays would be a big boost to Toronto’s lineup and add some more power. Once Barger returns, Toronto will have some roster decisions to make, but optioning Yohendrick Pinango or Davis Schneider seems likely.
The Blue Jays selected Barger in the sixth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of high school. He made his MLB debut in 2024.
Blue Jays Offense Starting to Click
Toronto is starting to play better baseball, and a key reason is the offense starting to click.
Following the Blue Jays’ 11-4 win over the Twins on Saturday, outfielder Myles Straw believes the team is starting to put together good at-bats.
“I feel like the team in general is just doing a really good job of putting together at-bats and hitting the ball hard,” said Straw. “It’s crazy, it’s like the whole lineup is hitting the ball 107 … it’s contagious. We’re getting back to the point of how we were last year.”
Schneider, meanwhile, echoed those words as he believes Toronto is starting to put together good swings.
“I thought there were some pretty good swings all day with Sosa and Myles, obviously,” said manager Schneider. “You’ve got to stick with it. The eighth inning was a good representation of passing the baton, Ern with the hit, even Vlad’s walk, that just keeps it going. I can’t say enough about Kaz right now and the at-bats he’s having. And then you put the ball in play and you put pressure on the defense. I thought we took some really, really good swings throughout the day and especially the eighth.”
The Blue Jays are 16-17 and will look to get back to .500 on Sunday.
Blue Jays Make Addison Barger Announcement Before Twins Game