Blue Jays Place Addison Barger on IL Again

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated May 11, 2026 3:34 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays had every reason to be encouraged on Saturday. After missing 30 games with bilateral ankle sprains, right fielder Addison Barger was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and slotted back into the starting lineup against the Los Angeles Angels.

It was the return the Blue Jays had been building toward all week, and for a player who batted .367 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 17 postseason games last October, Toronto needed that version of him back in the fold badly.

Unfortunately for manager John Schneider, Barger’s return lasted one day. On Sunday, he was scratched from the lineup before first pitch against the Angels with right elbow soreness. It was a new injury entirely, separate from the ankle issue that had kept him sidelined since April 5.

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger (47) John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

More bad news followed Monday ahead of Toronto’s opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Blue Jays announced that Barger is back on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

In a corresponding move, the club recalled Yohendrick Piñango from Triple-A Buffalo, who was optioned after Barger’s reinstatement on Saturday.

ROSTER MOVES:

OF Yohendrick Piñango recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight

RHP Yariel Rodríguez selected to the Major League roster and will be active tonight

INF/OF Addison Barger (right elbow inflammation) placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to May 10… pic.twitter.com/AdXy3LNapf
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 11, 2026

The timing of this setback is about as deflating as it gets for a club already stretched thin by injuries. Barger is a versatile 26-year-old who can play both outfield and third base. He brings left-handed power and carries one of the stronger throwing arms on the roster, and right elbow inflammation on his throwing arm is not a minor concern.

The Blue Jays were banking on his return to provide a spark to an offense that had scored just 27 runs through seven games in May before Saturday’s outing. In his first game back, Barger went 0-for-3 but scored a run in Toronto’s 14-1 outing against the Angels.

But the club will now need to determine the severity of his elbow issue before setting a return timeline. Toronto sits at 18-22, third in the AL East, and will have to navigate another potential long stretch without Barger.

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

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