Davis Schneider's demotion headlines a flurry of roster moves for the Blue Jays

As the Toronto Blue Jays look to continue to play spoiler, or perhaps increase their own playoff odds, the roster continues to be a revolving door. Even after the trade deadline has come and gone, Toronto keeps adjusting who is on and off their major league roster. Some of the moves are being done as a necessity to help with injuries, while others are being done based on the merit of a lack of production.

The latter is likely what contributed to the demotion of Davis Schneider. It's the fourth time he's been optioned this year, after starting the season with Toronto. The 27-year-old utility player just hasn't been able to make anything work over the long haul. He's hit .142/.295/.274 this season with three home runs.

The hope was that he might be able to be a heavy platoon guy and really do damage against lefties. But in 58 at-bats against southpaws, Schneider has hit .103 with a .493 OPS. In 55 at-bats against righties, Schneider has hit .182 with a .650 OPS.

Time may be running out for Schneider now. He'll only have one more option left and if the Blue Jays use that up on him to take up one of the two roster spots as a September call up and it doesn't work out, he could be hitting the winter on waivers, and possibly finding a new home for 2027.

That might not be the worst thing for Schneider though since it feels like he's done everything he can in the Blue Jays' system. Every time he gets sent down to Triple-A, he showcases everything that makes him a worth taking a shot on. In 2026 he's posed a .253/.503/.482 slash line. Sure, nobody expects him to maintain a .500 OBP at the MLB level, but certainly getting over .300 should be attainable.

The problem is that his strikeout rate has climbed in the majors, from a 20.2% K-rate with the Buffalo Bisons to a 33.6% K-rate with Toronto. So perhaps a change of scenery may be the best case scenario for the former 28th round draft pick.

Lazaro Estrada also optioned

Lazaro Estrada was also optioned to Triple-A. He's been a frequent flyer between the two levels in 2026. He's tossed 25 innings with the Buffalo Bisons, starting 10 games and pitching to a 2.52 ERA with a 3.54 FIP. With the Blue Jays, Estrada ha pitched 12 innings in seven appearances out of the bullpen, posting a 4.50 ERA and 5.92 FIP.

He's mostly been called up in emergency situations and his stints haven't lasted long, although he came up big for the Blue Jays in his latest go-around. He was used in all three games against the Philaephia Phillies over the weekend and in his first two outings he pitched a combined 2.1 innings and didn't allow a hit while walking two and striking out two in those two wins. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to replicate his success on Sunday, giving up two runs (one earned) and walked one, getting just one out.

Charles McAdoo recalled

Taking Schneider's place was Charles McAdoo, getting his second stint in the big leagues in his career. The rookie made his MLB debut earlier this season on May, 29. The 24-year-old played in eight games and hit .160 with one home run, six strikeouts and no walks.

After his demotion back to the Bisons, he got on a hot streak and in 39 games he slashed .290/.376/.503 with a 131 wRC+. He also hit eight home runs in that span, four of them coming on consecutive days before his call up back to the Blue Jays. Just for good measure, McAdoo smacked another one in the Blue Jays' 2-1 win over Boston (Aug. 10) making it five straight games with a home run.

Simeon Woods Richards recalled

Taking Estrada's place in the bullpen is Simeon Woods Richardson. Like McAdoo it's his second stint with the Blue Jays this year. Woods Richardson was DFA'd by the Twins on May, 30 and traded to the Blue Jays on Jun. 3. He only appeared in three games with the Blue Jays in his first stint, but he was used in a bulk role in each appearance. He pitched 10 innings over those three games and didn't allow a run, while giving up four hits, striking out five and walking seven.

When he was sent down, Woods Richardson had an ERA of 0.00 but he had an xERA of 5.13. He was DFA'd on Jun. 26, but cleared waivers and was sent to Buffalo. He pitched in six games, making five starts and produced a 4.07 ERA, striking out 20 batters and keeping his walks down, by issuing just nine free passes in 24.1 innings pitched.

Blue Jays will likely need to make another move soon after Jameson Taillon leaves the game early

The injury woes don't seem like they are subsiding any time soon. One of their newcomers, Jameson Taillon, left his start on Monday night after the fourth inning with what the team is calling "right forearm discomfort." It comes on the heels of the Blue Jays plan to go to a six man rotation lasting less than a week.

Trey Yesavage exited his start last week (Aug. 4) after feeling some pain in his knee. He's currently having that evaluated and may have to undergo surgery at some point.

That would have given the Blue Jays five starters still with Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, José Soriano and Jameson Taillon filling out the rotation, but the Blue Jays may be down to four guys again, something that has been way too much of a recurring issue in 2026.

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