Blue Jays Make Major Injury Announcement Before Mariners Game

John Schneider and the Toronto Blue Jays have spent the season’s first six weeks awaiting second baseman Andrés Giménez’s offensive breakout.

As it turns out, the Blue Jays need to wait slightly longer.

The Blue Jays placed Giménez, 26, on the injured list ahead of Friday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. Giménez suffered a right quad strain in Wednesday’s 5-3 collapse against the Los Angeles Angels.

Giménez did not play in Thursday’s 8-5 victory over the Angels. The Blue Jays promoted infielder Michael Stefanic from Triple-A Buffalo and designated relief pitcher Dillon Tate for assignment.

It’s been a rough go thus far for Giménez, who entered Friday hitting .195 with three home runs, 10 RBI, and a disappointing .577 OPS. Although Giménez has been worth 0.9 bWAR, he’s nonetheless on pace for his worst offensive showing since 2021.

Toronto acquired Giménez from the Cleveland Guardians at December’s Winter Meetings, taking on the final five seasons of his seven-year, $106.5 million contract.

Giménez, a three-time Gold Glove winner in Cleveland, owns a .275 average and a .707 OPS in six big-league seasons. He posted at least 4.0 bWAR in the last three seasons, though he’ll need some help to finish 2025 in that range.

As for Stefanic, the 29-year-old hit .232 with 14 RBI, a .317 on-base percentage, and -0.1 bWAR in 90 games for the Angels the past three years.

Ernie Clement is manning second base and hitting seventh against the Mariners on Friday night.

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