Kazuma Okamoto's Toronto Blue Jays' Spring Training debut delayed

While pitchers and catchers — along with a handful of position players — reported to Dunedin early to kick off camp, others such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer are expected to trickle in over the next few days. Okamoto, however, won’t be among them just yet.

According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told reporters that Kazuma Okamoto is still completing the work visa process and has not yet made it to Florida.

The plan is for him to travel to Dunedin on Friday and officially join the team over the weekend.

During the offseason, some evaluators speculated that Okamoto — much like fellow Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami — could ultimately settle in at first base in the majors.

That won’t be the case in Toronto. After signing a four-year, $60 million contract, Okamoto is expected to take over as the Blue Jays’ everyday third baseman and will look to establish himself defensively at the hot corner.

Manager John Schneider said the club envisions Okamoto primarily at third base, with Ernie Clement seeing most of his time at second. Addison Barger and Davis Schneider are projected to factor into the outfield mix.

Offensively, Okamoto brings an impressive résumé from his 11 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. He posted a .355 on-base percentage and topped the 30-home run mark in six of the past eight years.

The key question now is how well that production will translate against major-league pitching, particularly with higher velocity arms.

For a Blue Jays team that did not make another significant offensive addition this winter, the answer could play a pivotal role in shaping their 2026 season.

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