Blue Jays' Roster Takes Shape With Latest Round of Cuts

The Blue Jays' remaining roster battles for 2023 Opening Day are clearer after the latest round of Spring Training cuts.

© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The final roster battles of Blue Jays Spring Training are set.

The Jays announced another round of roster trimming on Monday, sending a group of 11 players to minor-league camp. This round of cuts included outfielder Wynton Bernhard and prospect infielder Addison Barger, narrowing the field for the final spots on Toronto's Opening Day roster.

The Jays still have 42 players in camp, leaving plenty of players vying for the final few roles with the big league team. The '26th man' has been contested all spring, with outfielder Nathan Lukes and utility man Otto Lopez seeming like the main contenders remaining.

Lopez had a strong performance with Canada at the 2023 World Baseball Classic while Lukes, a final cut for the '22 Jays, is hitting over .300 with more walks than strikeouts in MLB Spring Training, so far. Vinny Capra, a non-roster invitee, has also had a strong spring and could play his way back onto the 40-man roster as a southpaw masher.

The Jays aren't prioritizing a position or handedness for that final bench spot, manager John Schneider said earlier in camp, looking for a player who can contribute around the edges in specific situations.

"Just understanding how our everyday roster is built, and kind of what they can do at the plate, in a contact situation, or on the bases if we need them to steal or score, things like that," Schneider said.

With Yusei Kikuchi all but officially snatching the final rotation spot, the only other battles at '23 camp come in the bullpen. Toronto's 'pen has veterans penciled for essentially every spot, but Mitch White has yet to pitch in a spring game and could start the season on the IL. If White begins on the shelf, or another vet becomes a surprise cut, things open up for the Jays' bevy of optionable relievers.

Pitchers on the 40-man still in camp fighting for the last spot or two include Nate Pearson, Zach Pop, Zach Thompson, and Trent Thornton. Non-roster relievers like Bowden Francis, Junior Fernandez, Jay Jackson, and Luke Bard have an outside shot, too.

The Jays have 10 days to figure out their roster makeup, with Toronto's Opening Day slated for March 30th in St. Louis. The complete list of players re-assigned and optioned on Monday can be found here.