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Max Scherzer of Toronto

Starting pitcher Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays was among the injured players on the team who received positive health updates.

Scherzer was put on the 15-day IL retroactive to April 25 with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation. Thankfully, it looks like the veteran hurler has avoided any serious injuries.

According to Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, Scherzer is starting to feel better, and he was seen traveling with the team during their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. No specific date for his return was mentioned, but it’s good to know that he’s on the right track with his health.

As well, reliever Yimi Garcia, who has been on the injured list the entire season, is slated to start rehab games later this week, as the veteran relief pitcher looks to make a return to the Blue Jays later this month.

Alejandro Kirk Starting to Swing Bat

Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, an All-Star last season for the second time in his MLB career, is also on the mend as he looks to return from a broken thumb on his catching hand. The injury knocked him out of the team’s lineup just five games into his season, and the Jays have had to rely on a catching tandem of Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela in his return. While the rookie Valenzuela has shown flashes of brilliance, the veteran Heineman has badly struggled, and he was even benched by Blue Jays manager John Schneider this weekend against the Minnesota Twins.

While there is no exact return date for Kirk, he is making progress in his return, and he will start swinging a bat this week, a positive development after being out for the last four-plus weeks.

Addison Barger Very Close to Returning

Another injured Jays player is Addison Barger, who went on the IL on April 6 with a left ankle sprain. Barger was one of the Blue Jays’ best hitters last year during the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the team was hoping he would take an even bigger step forward this season.

During the early portion of the season, when Barger was healthy, he wasn’t playing to the best of his abilities, and then he went on the IL. But he looks to be making serious headway in his recovery, and he is very close to coming back to the Blue Jays’ active roster. According to Schneider, he will play rehab games this week and, hopefully, be activated this weekend.

Blue Jays Need Injured Players Back

The Blue Jays have a 16-18 record so far this season, a far cry from where the team was last season when they won the American League East and came within two outs of winning the World Series.

2026 has been a disappointment for the Jays, but there is hope. First, they are about to get a bunch of injured players back. Second, their healthy players are underperforming and are due for positive regression. And three, even with their slow start, the team is tied for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. So there is optimism that if things can start going the team’s way, they can string some wins together and start to look like the team that everyone thought they were heading into the season.