Toronto Blue Jays have decision to make for key back-up infielder

None might be bigger this year than the one the Toronto Blue Jays are facing with infielder Leo Jimenez.

After having received an extra option year last season due to injury, Jimenez is out options heading into 2026, meaning he has to make the opening day roster or be exposed to waivers.

If Mitch Bannon's recent roster predictions are anything to go by, Jimenez currently projects as the 27th man on a 26-man roster.

Things could change however. Toronto currently has seven players on the roster that will see time in the outfield, and Canada's team could choose to sacrifice - although undeservingly so - a Nathan Lukes or Davis Schneider in favour of carrying Jimenez.

For his part, Jimenez has been hard at work with infield coach Carlos Febles, taking grounders at third base, as well as his more natural positions of shortstop and 2nd base.

This is important as Kazuma Okamoto is an unknown commodity at the hot corner and if the Blue Jays want to ease him into the position, they could do well to carry an extra infielder, even with players like Ernie Clement and Addison Barger on board.

The 24-year old Panamanian has had mixed results in his two stints with the team. While he got into 63 games and hit four home runs in 2024, injuries limited him to just 13 appearances a year ago.

Whatever happens, it will be a story to watch over the course of the next month.

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