6 players the Blue Jays are holding back this year

C Tyler Heineman

The Blue Jays brought Heineman back for his third stint with the organization last year in the hopes that he could be a steady backup catcher behind Alejandro Kirk for the 2025 season. He entered 2025 with a .212 batting average in 111 career games in MLB.

Heineman has been off to a hot start this year and has put up numbers way beyond his typical averages.

I the 33-year-old veteran has compiled a stellar .406 batting average with three doubles, one home run and six RBI in 13 games.

Heineman's been a monster against left-handed pitching, as he's hitting .643 with a 1.600 OPS in 13 at-bats against southpaws. In comparison, Kirk's hitting .260 in 26 games this year.

Heineman's only had one start since the calendar turned to May, however, and his numbers have dipped a bit due to that sporadic playing time. The Jays have been desperate for any kind of offense, and it would be wise for Jays’ manager John Schneider to deploy Heineman just a bit more to capitalize on his hot bat.

RHP Andrew Bash 

Bash has been in the Blue Jays organization since they signed him as a minor league free agent in 2021, but he's never been closer to MLB than right now. He posted an ERA under 3.00 in both 2023 and '24, and was named the Buffalo Bisons' Pitcher of the Year last year. Those stats weren't enough for him to earn an MLB callup, however.

Bash has impressed this season with Buffalo after being in spring training as a Non-Roster Invitee. He's posted a 3-0 record with a sparkling 1.96 ERA along with 15 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings over nine appearances (two starts).

While the Jays have cycled through plenty of uninspiring pitchers this year like Jacob Barnes, Richard Lovelady, Josh Walker, Casey Lawrence and Easton Lucas, they still haven’t given Bash a look at the major league level.

Yes, it may be a hassle to add Bash to the 40-man roster, but the Jays need quality pitching. It's a surprise that the team hasn't given him a shot to make a mark with the big league team. It’s time for the Blue Jays to seriously consider him as an option, especially if veteran arms like Eric Lauer and Dillon Tate don’t pan out.