CHICAGO -- The hits just keep on coming. Addison Barger was removed from the Blue Jays’ 3-0 loss to the White Sox Sunday with bilateral ankle discomfort.
Barger was thrown out at first on a great defensive play in the third inning and seemed to land awkwardly as he ran through the bag, stretching for a close play at the very end. Barger stayed in, though, and even took another at-bat in the sixth inning, but flied out to center field.
This was a new one for manager John Schneider and just about everyone else, a player injuring both ankles in the same sequence.
“He stepped a bit weird with both of them, one on the bag and one before,” Schneider said. “We taped him up and he tried to go. We’ll see how he is tomorrow. He’s about as tough as they come. Hopefully, he’s all right and it’s just a day or two, or maybe not even a day.”
The Blue Jays have already lost Alejandro Kirk recently to a fractured left thumb, a tough blow on top of being swept by the White Sox to fall to 4-5 ahead of their series against the Dodgers at home beginning Monday.
“We’ve got to get back to playing our baseball,” Schneider said. “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, where you’re playing or what time you’re playing them, if you don’t play your baseball, good things don’t happen.”
This has been a difficult start to the season for Barger on an individual level, too, as he’s just 1-for-19 (.053). Barger looked excellent in Spring Training and was widely projected to be a breakout candidate in 2026, especially coming off his big performance in the ‘25 World Series, but that hasn’t shown itself just yet.
Ideally, Barger won’t need to miss any time and Toronto’s deep group of outfielders will cover for any brief absence. It does shine a light on Toronto’s Triple-A depth, though, which will be needed sooner or later.
Any time missed could create an immediate opening for Tyler Fitzgerald, who was acquired this weekend from the Giants after being designated for assignment.
Fitzgerald’s primary spot defensively has been second base, but he’s also shown the ability to move around the infield and outfield in a utility role. He’s hit lefties very well in his career and is a good baserunner, so it’s easy to envision Fitzgerald fitting the Blue Jays’ playing style, especially if he can get his game back closer to his 2024 production.
The Blue Jays have already needed to do some 40-man roster shuffling recently to cover for their pitching injuries and the demotion of Brendon Little, so it would take a more extreme need than this for the club to continue that churn.
No. 13 prospect Josh Kasevich is also on the 40-man roster and was one of the best stories of Spring Training, but this could still be early for Kasevich, who may be a better fit when more regular reps come available.
Elsewhere on the Blue Jays’ Triple-A roster in Buffalo, Jonatan Clase has a 40-man roster spot, but isn’t off to a hot start and would likely create more excess depth in the outfield. Eloy Jimenez has carried his hot spring into a strong start with the Bisons, though, and No. 26 prospect Charles McAdoo has impressed early. Utilityman Carlos Mendoza is another option who could fill in at multiple positions this season.