Blue Jays activate Barger off IL, option Piñango in the process

TORONTO -- The good news is that Addison Barger is finally back in the Blue Jays’ lineup, but it took a difficult decision for the corresponding move.

Yohendrick Piñango has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. The Blue Jays’ No. 10 prospect hit .423 over 10 games since making his MLB debut on April 26, immediately proving to the Blue Jays that he was ready to handle big league pitching. Piñango’s aggressive approach brought life and the threat of damage to a lineup in need of it, and as manager John Schneider put it, he had “bad intentions” at the plate.

Piñango was caught in the numbers game, though, and with Barger returning as another lefty-hitting outfielder on top of Daulton Varsho and Jesús Sánchez, the 24-year-old Piñango feels the squeeze.

“It’s a tough decision, obviously, with his performance. We’re just looking at the runway for him and the runway for others, and it didn’t really match up,” Schneider said. “I could see him being part of us again at some point. He definitely showed well.”

The other options the Blue Jays could have considered included Davis Schneider and Lenyn Sosa, who offer two drastically different profiles at the plate. Schneider is batting just .127, but he’s walked 15 times and the Blue Jays still believe in his power upside. Sosa can make contact with just about everything, but he hasn’t taken a single walk this season and he keeps his roster spot to maintain some level of infield depth. Sosa is also out of Minor League options.

What’s next for Yohendrick Piñango?

What more can you ask for?

Piñango is also coming off one of his most impressive at-bats since being recalled, when he stepped in Friday night as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and shot a single back up the middle. If he keeps this momentum rolling and keeps driving the ball in the air -- which has been an issue at times in the Minors with too many ground balls -- then his offensive game is just fine.

There’s still plenty of room for Piñango to grow as a defender, and Davis Schneider’s development as a left fielder is a good example here. The Blue Jays’ outfield defense hasn’t felt quite as strong this season as it has in recent years, and while Piñango isn’t a threat to rack up Gold Glove Awards, he’ll give himself even more opportunities to shine in the big leagues if his defense is sturdier.

Piñango nailed this debut, though, and helped himself greatly. Nathan Lukes is nearing a return from the IL, as well, so Piñango will be buried by yet another layer of depth, but if this lineup continues to struggle, the Blue Jays have a very obvious option now in Triple-A.

What Barger brings

Let’s throw Barger’s 1-for-19 start out the window. Prior to hitting the IL with his ankle injury, Barger was struggling to carry over his momentum from a hot spring, but he still has as much upside as anyone in this lineup not named Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“We all know what he brings to the table,” Schneider said. “Hopefully, it’s some intentful swings. Hopefully, it’s some slug and a good approach. He’ll be right in the thick of it.”

Coming into this weekend, the Blue Jays are tied for 23rd in MLB with just 34 home runs and they’re 22nd in slugging percentage. Kazuma Okamoto has been the best thing to happen to this organization in 2026 and is already running away with team leads in home runs and RBIs, but he needs some help. So far, that hasn’t come from Guerrero, who’s left the yard just twice.

Until Guerrero catches fire, the Blue Jays need power from up and down their lineup. While the corresponding move to get Barger onto the roster was tricky, he’s returning at the perfect time.