Checking in on 3 former Blue Jays whose seasons have taken very different turns

For Toronto Blue Jays fans, keeping tabs on former players is almost part of their routine. Some players leave Toronto and immediately make the front office look smart. Others find another level somewhere else and leave fans wondering what might have been. Then there are cases that land somewhere in between.

That has been the case for a few familiar names this season. One former Blue Jays fan favourite has seen his stock fall dramatically, another appeared to revive his year before an injury ended it early, and one reliever has quietly become a valuable bullpen piece for a playoff hopeful.

OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Ex-Blue Jays fan favourite Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s stock has fallen in recent times. As a former All-Star that typically averaged 20+ home runs and 80+ RBIs a season while helping the Arizona Diamondbacks reach the World Series in 2023, a dreadful 2026 campaign has led to him getting designated for assignment by Arizona this past weekend.

In 51 total games with the Diamondbacks this year, Gurriel has posted a dismal .210/.254/.290 slash line, along with 13 runs scored, two home runs and 22 RBIs. What has led to the disappointment likely stemmed from the injury woes he endured the past couple of seasons, which included an ACL injury in his right knee towards the end of 2025 and ahamstring and abductor issues in 2026.

With young players such as Ryan Waldschmidt, Tommy Troy and Jordan Lawlar providing more of a spark for the Diamondbacks outfield, the inconsistency of Gurriel ultimately led to his DFA.

P Eric Lauer

After struggling with the Blue Jays to start the 2026 season, the controversial Eric Lauer was moved to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This suddenly gave him new life. Lauer would amass a 7-2 record with a 4.50 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, together with 46 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched over 14 appearances. That included a strong nine-game stretch after joining the Dodgers in which he gave up three runs or less while averaging at least five innings in each.

However, Lauer’s season would come to an abrupt end this past week after he was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL for elbow inflammation. That transaction has taken away any hopes of the 31-year-old left-hander returning for the postseason if the Dodgers make the playoffs. Lauer had high hopes of pitching in big games late in the season. He certainly did so during the Blue Jays’ magical postseason run last year, but it looks like he will have to wait for another year this time around.

A Blue Jays bullpen lightning rod is cruising along in his new digs

P Jeff Hoffman

For early season bullpen scapegoat Jeff Hoffman, the grass apparently has been greener with the Minnesota Twins. He was dealt there at the trade deadline following an inconsistent first half where he lost the closer’s role. Hoffman would settle down in the subsequent weeks leading up to the deadline. That consistency would follow him to Minnesota as the 33-year-old has been a solid addition for the Twins during their stretch run.

In 15 relief appearances for Minnesota, Hoffman has accumulated a tidy 2.63 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, giving up just four earned runs with no home runs and 21 strikeouts in 13.2 innings of work.

More importantly, he has also recorded seven holds and has yet to blow a save. The Blue Jays could've really used that version of Hoffman right about now in their own pursuit for the playoffs.

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