Bounce Back Candidate: Toronto Blue Jays' infielder Leo Jimenez

Leo Jimenez enters the season on the Toronto Blue Jays’ 40-man roster, though his lack of remaining minor-league options puts his roster spot firmly under the microscope.

Whether he can carve out a role at the major-league level will likely be determined this spring.

Best known for his steady defense at shortstop, the right-handed hitter made his MLB debut in 2024, posting a .229/.329/.358 slash line across 63 games.

At the time, there was optimism that the Panamanian infielder could grow into a useful bench piece.

That momentum stalled in 2025, as injuries limited him to just 44 total games between Toronto and the minor leagues.

In the majors, Jimenez collected only two hits and two walks over 32 plate appearances, though his production in Triple-A Buffalo told a very different story before he was sidelined.

Across 71 plate appearances with Buffalo, Jimenez slashed an impressive .304/.437/.375, pairing it with an outstanding 11:13 walk-to-strikeout ratio that highlighted his disciplined approach at the plate.

Defensively, Jimenez has shown versatility throughout his career, splitting time between shortstop and second base.

In fact, he has logged nearly as many major-league games at second base (36) as he has at shortstop (44), adding to his value as a potential utility option.

The Blue Jays’ infield picture has changed significantly with the departure of Bo Bichette and the acquisition of Kazuma Okamoto.

Andrés Giménez is expected to handle everyday duties at shortstop, while Okamoto should see most of his time at third base.

That alignment likely pushes Ernie Clement to second, leaving Jimenez to compete for a backup middle-infield role during spring training.

Being out of options raises the stakes considerably. Jimenez cannot be sent to the minors without first passing through waivers, where any other team could claim him.

As a result, his performance this spring will be crucial. If he can showcase his reliable defense on both sides of the second-base bag, Jimenez could earn regular spot starts a few times per week, helping keep the infield fresh over a long season.

While power has never been his calling card — he has just 27 home runs across 481 professional games — his career minor-league on-base percentage of .393 suggests he can still provide value offensively.

For Jimenez, 2026 represents both an opportunity and a crossroads. Staying healthy and producing when it matters most may finally allow him to put it all together.

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