12 former Blue Jays still alive in the MLB playoffs after the Wild Card round

As the Wild Card round comes to a close the baseball world turns it's attention to the Division Series'. The Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies became the first casualties of the 2026 MLB Playoffs.

Among them were some former Toronto Blue Jays that were looking to redeem themselves from their failed World Series title run from 2025. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, playing for the Red Sox, will not get his redemption story for his World Series moment from Game 7 last year. Nor will former Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman get a chance to pitch any further into the postseason after the Cubs were eliminated in Game 2 against the San Diego Padres.

Nevertheless, there are still a dozen ex-Blue Jays still alive with the Division Series contests getting underway today (Oct.3).

These former Blue Jays are looking to capture a World Series title

New York Yankees: P Ryan Yarbrough and C Ali Sánchez

Despite being on the Wild Card roster for the New York Yankees, both Ryan Yarbrough and Ali Sánchez didn’t end up making an appearance in the series. That was because the Yankees easily manhandled the Red Sox by scores of 9-0 and 9-2 to sweep their divisional rivals. Both players will likely get an opportunity to play in their upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays: P Steven Matz

By virtue of the first round bye as AL East division champions, Steven Matz and the Tampa Bay Rays make their way into the ALDS to face the Yankees. Matz has been a swingman for the Rays this season, recording 11 starts among his 36 appearances. However, the 35-year-old veteran was used predominantly as a reliever by Tampa Bay during the latter half of the year after some early struggles as a starter, so his role in the postseason will likely remain as a bullpen arm.

Chicago White Sox: OF Randal Grichuk, P Jordan Hicks, P Anthony Kay, P Trevor Richards

The Chicago White Sox have a collection of former Blue Jays on their squad. Trevor Richards wasn’t on the AL Wild Card roster but could be back in play in the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians.

Pitchers Anthony Kay and Jordan Hicks played a key role in helping the White Sox secure the sweep over the Houston Astros. Kay pitched 0.2 scoreless innings allowing just one walk, while Hicks would appear in both games, holding the Astros scoreless with four strikeouts in three innings of work.

As for the revitalized Randal Grichuk, he came in as a pinch hitter in Game 1 and would go 2-for-3 in the White Sox 6-3 win over Houston.

Atlanta Braves: 1B Rowdy Tellez

The Atlanta Braves got by their divisional rivals in the Phillies in three games in the NL Wild Card series. That means that former Blue Jays fan favourite Rowdy Tellez is moving on to the NLDS. Having spent the bulk of the 2026 season with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett, he will likely remain a bench bat in their series against the LA Dodgers.

San Diego Padres: P Robbie Ray and INF Ty France

Robbie Ray wasn’t used by the Padres to pitch in their Wild Card Series sweep over the Cubs after solid starts by Michael King and Nick Pivetta. However, Ray should come into play when they meet the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. As for Ty France, he went an impressive 4-for-8 with two doubles and two runs scored against the Cubs as he continues to do damage in the heart of the Padres’ order.

Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Teoscar Hernández and P Brock Stewart

The Dodgers had a bye going into the MLB Playoffs which means Brock Stewart and Teoscar Hernández will be getting their first taste of playoff action this year when they host the Braves for Game One at 4:00 p.m. (EST).

Stewart had been one of the more reliable Dodgers’ relievers when healthy this season, posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.01 WHIP with 25 strikeouts in 26.2 innings of work. Stewart should remain a key cog in the bullpen in this series.

Hernández regressed slightly in 2026, but still managed a .267 average and .759 OPS, with 16 home runs and 64 RBIs in 125 games played. Hernández has also stepped up his game in past playoff runs and looks to factor into the equation agains in an attempt to earn his third World Series ring in three years.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow