Blue Jays Announce Several Changes After Missing MLB Playoffs

Mark J&period; Rebilas-Imagn Images

Blue Jays Announce Several Changes After Missing MLB Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Sep 23, 2026 5:38 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are officially out of the MLB playoffs after losing 4-2 to the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Toronto managed 10 hits but struggled to turn them into runs, going scoreless through the first five innings before scoring twice in the sixth. Max Scherzer allowed four runs over five innings in his 500th career appearance, while Pete Alonso’s two-run homer in the fifth gave Baltimore a four-run cushion. The loss dropped Toronto to 77-81 with four games remaining, meaning the Blue Jays cannot finish above .500.

The elimination marks a disappointing end to a season that fell well short of the standard Toronto established in 2025. The Blue Jays went 94-68 last year to win the American League East, then beat the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners to reach the World Series for the first time since 1993. Toronto pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 11-inning Game 7 before ultimately losing the championship series 4-3.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (14)Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

With their postseason hopes officially gone, the Blue Jays also made several roster moves ahead of the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. RHP Chase Lee and RHP CJ Van Eyk were recalled from Triple-A and will be active vs Baltimore, while RHP José Rodríguez was optioned to the Spring Training Complex.

The club also placed RHP Dylan Cease on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Sept. 20, because of right shoulder inflammation.

ROSTER MOVES:

RHP Chase Lee and RHP CJ Van Eyk recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight

RHP José Rodríguez optioned to the Spring Training Complex

RHP Dylan Cease (right shoulder inflammation) placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to Sept. 20 pic.twitter.com/yYXyFZUf2I
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 23, 2026

Cease’s placement on the injured list comes after what had been a standout first season in Toronto. The right-hander posted an 11-6 record with a 2.40 ERA and an American League-leading 239 strikeouts over 169 innings. He was scheduled to pitch in Baltimore this week, but an MRI revealed inflammation in his throwing shoulder. The scan showed no structural damage, although the Blue Jays had previously left open the possibility of Cease returning for the final series against Cincinnati.

Lee and Van Eyk will provide additional pitching depth for the final stretch. Both pitchers have already spent time with Toronto this season, with Van Eyk being optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 28 and Lee having moved between the majors and minors several times.

Toronto now has only four games left, beginning with the remainder of Wednesday’s doubleheader before a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds. Instead of preparing for another postseason run, the Blue Jays will use the final games to evaluate their roster and begin turning their attention toward what needs to change after a season that ended far earlier than they expected.

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

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