Blue Jays manager John Schneider pencils Wagner and Roden in Opening Day lineup: 'We like the way we are rolling now'

With the first pitch just a few hours away, Opening Day for the Toronto Blue Jays is happening at the Rogers Centre for the first time since 2022, when the club welcomed the Texas Rangers in what turned out to be a game to remember for fans. This year, the Jays are welcoming the Baltimore Orioles into their home stadium, and some fresh faces are entering the lineup for Opening Day.

Will Wagner, acquired at the 2024 trade deadline as part of the Yusei Kikuchi deal, will bat seventh and work in the DH spot, while outfield prospect will make his MLB Debut in right field, batting ninth.

“Pumped for Alan, we like everything he has done,” explained Schneider before the game. “We told him yesterday after the workout, and he was like, ‘alright let’s go. ‘ I am sure he will be nervous, but he’s handled everything great. And just getting Wagner’s bat in there against Eflin was important for us, and we like the way we are rolling now.”

Roden had a strong spring for the Blue Jays, posting a .407 average while collecting 11 hits through 37 plate appearances and walking six times compared to six strikeouts. The 25-year-old’s bat couldn’t be left behind, and the Jays decided to not only name him to the active roster, but he gets the nod for Opening Day as well.

“I think we knew we always had George (Springer) playing centre field in our back pocket, so it’s really just one less thing for Alan to worry about there,” explained Schneider and his decision to put the rookie in the corner outfield spot. “For today, we think the at-bat profile for having Roden in the ninth spot to turn it over into Bo, Vlad, and Tony. We like the profiles that Wagner, Clement, and Roden have before turning it back over to Bo and the others.”

With the move, Santander will slide into left field to complete the outfield group while batting third in the lineup behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“Santander is comfortable in left and wants to continue to play there,” said Schneider. “It could be right field eventually, and some of it will be ballpark-driven and lineup driven, but he was ready to go today in left field.”

Leading off for the Blue Jays is Bo Bichette, who is looking to rebound after a dismal 2024 season at the plate that saw him miss a considerable amount of time on the IL. The Jays’ normal leadoff man in Springer slides down to sixth.

“Bo’s done it before, and he likes leading off,” explained the Jays skipper. “We’ve talked about it before, batting in the one spot or the four, and we know it’s (leading off) not the easiest thing to do, but he’s willing to do whatever, and we think he is going to thrive in the one spot. He’s a threat every single pitch. Nothing is set in stone, but I like it right now with how is swinging the bat… we kind of forget we were operating without him for a long period of time last year, and he’s shown he can be one of the best hitters in the league, whether that’s production or hits.”

Whether Bichette remains in the leadoff spot for the foreseeable future is to be determined, but if history is anything, the shortstop has found success in the role. For his career, he owns a .289/.337/.493 slash line and a .830 OPS through 339 at-bats.

“Probably ya, at least for a while,” said Schneider when asked about running with Bichette, Guerrero, and Santander to start the game. “Finding that sweet spot on paper in a matchup standpoint and what guys are comfortable with. I am sure there will be some tweaks along the way, but I like how it is right now.”