The Toronto Blue Jays will begin a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre at 7:07 p.m. EDT on Monday.
Ahead of the series opener, the Blue Jays announced a last-minute lineup change involving Kazuma Okamoto.
Toronto Blue Jays Make Sudden Kazuma Okamoto Change Before Red Sox Series
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Kazuma Okamoto #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats in the sixth inning during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-6 in 12 innings. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Originally, Okamoto was in the Blue Jays’ starting lineup batting seventh and playing third base today.
Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. Okamoto has been scratched from the lineup.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Kazuma Okamoto #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays smiles in the dugout after scoring a run in the eighth inning during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-6 in 12 innings. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays wrote (X): “UPDATE: 3B Kazuma Okamoto was removed from tonight’s starting lineup with a left knee contusion.”
Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote (X): “Kazuma Okamoto scratched & replaced by Charles McAdoo in Jays lineup tonight Okamoto recently fouled a ball off his knee and is considered day to day per John Schneider”
Here is the Blue Jays’ updated lineup:
- Nathan Lukes RF
- Brett Bateman CF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
- George Springer DH
- Jesus Sanchez LF
- Andres Gimenez
- Charles McAdoo 3B
- Josh Smith 2B
- Brandon Valenzuela C
Looking at Blue Jays 3B Kazuma Okamoto
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – JULY 29: Kazuma Okamoto #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays is tagged out by Jorbit Vivas #84 of the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Okamoto signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Blue Jays out of Japan this offseason.
This year, Okamoto has hit .225/.299/.429 with 24 home runs, 15 doubles and 70 RBI in 475 plate appearances over 116 games.
Toronto Blue Jays Right Now
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – JULY 29: Manager John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Blue Jays just won two of three games against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park this past weekend. They have won six of their last 10 games.
Toronto is in last place in the American League East.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 19: John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks to the mound after Adam Macko #64 pitched during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 19, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
The club is 16 games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
As for the Wild Card standings, the Blue Jays are just 3 1/2 games behind the Texas Rangers for the third American League Wild Card spot with a 56-63 record.
Toronto Blue Jays Announce Sudden Kazuma Okamoto Change Before Red Sox Series