Blue Jays Announce Move After Disappointing Addison Barger News

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Blue Jays Announce Move After Disappointing Addison Barger News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Jul 23, 2026 4:35 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays have been a disappointment in 2026, so much so that the club is nearing seller territory at this year's trade deadline.

After last year's dream run to the World Series it has all come crashing down, and while underperformance across the roster is a big reason why, so is the absence of several of their breakout players from a year ago. None has been more impactful than right fielder Addison Barger.

Barger has played in just nine total games this year due to three separate injuries. He first missed time with a left ankle sprain, then returned but played just one game before suffering a right elbow flexor strain.

Then while recovering from that, he suffered another setback in the form of a stress fracture in his lower back.

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The Blue Jays have deeply felt his absence. Last year, the 26-year-old left-handed slugger posted a .243 batting average, .301 on-base percentage, .756 OPS, 21 home runs and 74 RBIs, and they simply have not been able to replicate that production from anyone else in the lineup.

The Blue Jays have tried to address the void with low-risk, higher-upside options, and on Thursday they made another move in that direction.

Toronto announced they have claimed outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and optioned him to Triple-A.

In a corresponding move, Barger was transferred to the 60-day injured list to clear the roster spot.

While this is mostly procedural, the Blue Jays may soon decide it is not worth bringing Barger back at all this year, which would make Martin a possible option sometime down the stretch.

ROSTER MOVES:

Claimed OF Rudy Martin Jr. off waivers from the Orioles and optioned him to Triple-A

Transferred INF/OF Addison Barger to the 60-day IL pic.twitter.com/VsDXRnoWiW
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 23, 2026

Martin is a lifelong minor-league journeyman still awaiting his big-league debut, and this year may be his best and only shot at 30 years old.

Across both Double-A and Triple-A in the Kansas City Royals system this season, he posted a .284 batting average, .414 on-base percentage and .855 OPS, numbers that suggest he may be deserving of an opportunity at the highest level.

For a Blue Jays team running low on outfield options and time, Martin represents exactly the kind of low-cost flier worth taking as the second half plays out.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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