Blue Jays getting good value on their in-season additions but need more from everyone else

The Toronto Blue Jays have received unexpected contributions from some new faces recently, but need more consistent production from their regulars to turn around what has been a disappointing start to the season. Amid a rash of injuries, Toronto has signed starting pitcher Patrick Corbin, infielder Lenyn Sosa, and outfielder/DH Eloy Jiménez, who have all authored impactful moments since joining the team. Still, the Blue Jays will need more for the rest of their roster to dig themselves out of the hole they’re in.

Corbin was signed three weeks ago after Cody Ponce left his first start in the third inning with what turned out to be an anterior cruciate ligament sprain in his right knee. Surprisingly, the left-hander didn’t get any notable offers in free agency after establishing himself as one of the most durable starters in the majors over the last five seasons, with 156 starts, a number surpassed by only five pitchers, including José Berríos and Kevin Gausman. 

After signing, Corbin was put to work immediately, starting a game for the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays on April 4th. Five shutout innings with nine strikeouts were all the brain trust needed to see, and the 36-year-old was called up to the big-league roster three days later. He made his Blue Jays debut on April 10th against the Minnesota Twins and was understandably rusty, allowing six hits, including two home runs, and four earned runs over four innings. Fortunately, Toronto had one of its best offensive showings of the season in a 10-4 win.

Patrick Corbin and company have held their own after not making the Opening Day roster

Corbin has looked much sharper over his last two starts. He pitched 5.2 innings of one-run ball against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out six. In his most recent start, on Tuesday night versus the L.A. Angels, the southpaw was efficient over five innings, again allowing just one run in the 4-2 victory. He’s making a case to stay on the roster as Trey Yesavage, Berríos, and Shane Bieber continue to rehab from injury. Pitching coach Pete Walker must also be hoping that Max Scherzer and Eric Lauer can build on their recent starts to give the rotation the depth that was previously expected.  

Sosa was traded for after Addison Barger, who was placed on the 10-day IL on April 7th with an ankle sprain. To make room on the roster, Tyler Fitzgerald, whose contract was purchased from the San Francisco Giants just a few days earlier, was sent down to Triple-A Buffalo.

The 26-year-old wasted no time in making an impact with his new team. Inserted as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning of his first game, Sosa promptly singled, then boldly went from first to third on a base hit by Daulton Varsho to shallow centrefield. The play was reviewed and upheld, and Sosa scored on the next play, an important sequence in a dramatic, 9-7 extra-innings comeback win.

The spark the Venezuelan native provided earned him a start over the next four games, and he responded by getting a hit or driving in a run in each game. Sosa then came up with the biggest hit in a 4-2, series-clinching win over the Angels on Tuesday night, a two-run double that broke a 1-1 deadlock and provided the winning margin.

Jiménez was called up when George Sprionger was placed on the IL with a left big toe fracture on April 12th. He’s gotten into eight games (six starts) since, and has been hot, with nine hits in 22 at-bats (.409 avg.), three RBI, and a pair of runs scored. He hasn’t shown the extra-base hitting ability he flashed during spring training and the early part of the Bisons season, but he’s hit the ball hard and appears rejuvenated by being back in the majors.  

As positive as these developments have been, the Blue Jays need their regular starters to step up their game as Yesavage, Springer, and Barger work their way back to returning to the roster. 

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