Eloy Jiménez rejoins Blue Jays, still hunting for his home run swing

Sometimes, if things didn’t work out the first two times, perhaps the third time would be a charm. That is exactly what Eloy Jiménez is hoping for as the former star officially returned to the Toronto Blue Jays once again on a minor league deal according to sources, as per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. He had previously elected free agency after he was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays in late April.

Jiménez was actually originally signed by Toronto to a minor league contract last August following his release from the Tampa Bay Rays. However, he ended up playing out the rest of his 2025 year with the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons where he batted a measly .167 with a .508 OPS, zero home runs and RBIs in six games of action. Jiménez elected free agency upon the conclusion the 2025 season.

Toronto appears to be Jiménez’s comfort zone in getting the opportunity to resurrect his career

Perhaps the Blue Jays really valued his potential power as the 29-year-old slugger was brought back into the organization once again in January of 2026 on another minor league deal. This time, Jiménez put up quite the impression in front of the Toronto brass in Spring Training, compiling a decent .286 average, .857 OPS, along with five runs scored, four doubles, two home runs and three RBIs in 42 total at-bats. He didn’t end up making the Jays’ Opening Day roster, but he awaited his opportunity, which came at the expense of a George Springer injury.

Jiménez was called up by Toronto on April 12 to serve as Springer’s replacement in the DH spot. Despite a solid .290 average over 12 games played, he severely lacked the power production that the Blue Jays expected from him. In 35 total plate appearances, Jiménez failed to record a single extra-base hit and drove in only three runs along with two runs scored. As a result, it led to his DFA once it was time to activate Springer from the IL.

But despite leaving the organization twice before, Jiménez has decided to return to the Jays to serve as valuable hitting depth. As a former Silver Slugger winner back in 2020 with the Chicago White Sox, he will look to recapture some of his previous form and hopefully get another chance at the majors with Toronto.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow