"or in the hitting department with Kazuma Okamoto. Not to mention the Blue Jays will have their prized offseason signing from last year officially back in Anthony Santander to boost their lineup as well. However, with these new additions along with players coming back from almost season-long injuries, it has inadvertently created a roster crunch for Toronto ahead of the 2026 MLB season."
"It wasn't too long ago when Bowden Francis had his breakout performance with the Blue Jays during the latter parts of the 2024 season. By going 5-3 with a stellar 1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP with 58 strikeouts in 65 total innings that included two near-no-hitters in his final 11 games that year, Francis appeared to finally have a firm lock on a major league roster spot for good going forward."
The Toronto Blue Jays added multiple pitchers (Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, Chase Lee) and hitter Kazuma Okamoto, and will regain offseason signee Anthony Santander. These acquisitions, combined with players returning from season-long injuries, have created a roster crunch entering the 2026 season with fewer spring training opportunities. Several players will face intense competition for roles and their futures with the organization. Bowden Francis fell from a strong 2024 into a poor 2025 (2-8 record, 6.05 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) and spent the latter half of the year on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement. At age 29, Francis must demonstrate consistent value as a starter or reliever to retain a major league role.
Read at Jays Journal
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