Blue Jays first spring game lineup could be a preview of 2026 Opening Day

The Toronto Blue Jays are getting ready to take on the Philadelphia Phillies in their first taste of Grapefruit League action as the Spring Training games get underway on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 21). And it appears manager John Schneider is going to roll with some of his big guns right out of the gate.

Blue Jays first spring game lineup could be a preview of 2026 Opening Day

There aren't too many surprises with this one, although there are two glaring absentees. George Springer is not in the lineup, instead Daulton Varsho bats as the designated hitter while Nathan Lukes gets the starting nod in centre field. That means the Blue Jays are going with some contact and speed guys at the top with Ernie Clement in the lead off spot playing second base and Andrés Giménez manning shortstop and batting second ahead of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base.

The other omission from the spring opener is Jesús Sánchez. The outfielder, who was picked up last week in a trade that sent Joey Loperfido to the Houston Astros, will not start in the game. The left-handed hitting Sánchez is expected to be a player who can wreak havoc on right-handed pitching this season for Toronto.

Depending on injuries and matchups though, this could be a lineup the Blue Jays run with come Opening Day. Springer will likely be in there somewhere regardless of the handedness of the pitcher the West Sacramento Athletics throw out there on March 27th at Rogers Centre. Springer will also likely be slotted into the leadoff spot, while Clement and Giménez figure to be somewhere in the lower third of the lineup.

Meantime, Sánchez figures to be a middle of the order hitter, mostly against right handed pitching. Looking at the Athletic's depth charts (courtesy of FanGraphs) their likely Opening Day start is righty Luis Severino, but they could go with lefties Jeffrey Springs or Jacob Lopez.

Regardless of how it plays out, this is also the beginning of what could be an important spring for Lukes. After spending a decade in the minor leagues he broke out in a big way for the Blue Jays in 2025, but will still need to prove himself as the Blue Jays currently have a crowded outfield picture, and have a few of them already hit from the left side, like Lukes.

Eric Lauer, who could be a starter or a reliever come Opening Day, gets the ball on the mound.