3 Blue Jays players with the most health concerns In 2024

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The Blue Jays are trying to put themselves in better position to compete in a loaded AL East and make a deeper run in the playoffs. They will need all the help they can get from the incumbent roster, especially if the front office is unable to reel in big additions.

The Blue Jays are not only counting on the current players to perform better, but also continued health from a large portion of the roster. They haven’t suffered too many debilitating injuries in recent years and the pitching staff stayed remarkably healthy in 2023.

A few weeks before players gather under the palm trees of Florida, the Jays have injury concerns with a few players that are worth mentioning. Since every team suffers injuries and the other clubs don't feel bad for a team that suffers ill-timed maladies, the Blue Jays are not in any unique company. Like every team, they will suffer injuries and there may not be any singular reason why they suffer more injuries than other clubs. It may not always be the fault of the athletic training staff, for example. In any event, it will be something to monitor as they attempt to get through spring training and the regular season in one healthy piece.

3 Blue Jays players with the most health concerns In 2024.

Chad Green

This is admittedly a tough one to project. Toronto's pitching staff doesn't give you many reasons to doubt their effectiveness heading into 2024, even if it feels unlikely to repeat its greatness again.

Chad Green is a major question mark who can be a solid bullpen piece when healthy or provide very little impact if he is still battling injuries. Over seven years with the Yankees, he amassed a 137 ERA+ over 383.2 IP. On the negative side, Green missed most of the 2022 and 2023 seasons rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

He was decent in Toronto during his short stint and didn’t give you many reasons to doubt his effectiveness. He only pitched twelve innings, but his numbers look better when you examine them more closely. There is more red than blue on his Baseball Savant page. However, his age combined with the fact that he hasn’t pitched a full season in a few years means there are a lot of questions about Green this season.

He will be an important piece in the bullpen for manager John Schneider alongside Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza, Yimi Garcia, Trevor Richards and Genesis Cabrera. A healthy Chad Green can be a very important bridge to closer Jordan Romano in the ninth inning.

Kevin Kiermaier

Kiermaier has been a feel-good story in the Blue Jays offseason because the team is bringing back someone who played so well last year. He hit .265 with eight home runs in addition to a fourth Gold Glove award. However, the concern for injury still exists for the soon to be 34-year-old.

Kiermaier had major hip surgery that ended his 2022 season and while he looked good last year, one never knows how those injuries play out. His style of play lends itself to playing CF with reckless abandon where it seems like his body is always stretched out diving for a baseball.

In 2016 he injured himself after diving for a ball and fracturing his hand. 2017 featured only 98 games. In 2018 he was limited to 88 games while in 2020 he actually played in 49 games during the pandemic-shortened season. Ask any Tampa Bay Rays fan about Kiermaier's health and they will likely give you strong responses.

In 2024, the Blue Jays will need Kiermaier to be as healthy as possible. Centerfield is a demanding defensive position and the Rogers Centre turf will be something to watch. The Jays have backup options on hand but would likely prefer to use those players elsewhere on the diamond. If Toronto adds another outfield-capable player to its lineup before spring training, Kiermaier's role may diminish. Daulton Varsho and the newly signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa can handle those CF duties if needed.

Danny Jansen

The Jays catcher should be a full-go for 2024. Jano attempted to return from a fractured finger injury before the 2023 postseason but the Blue Jays ultimately opted for caution.

Jansen has been reliable when healthy with a career 102 OPS+ and a strong 2023 season with career highs in HR/RBI before the finger injury. He doesn’t have any concerning long-term injuries, but the accumulation of these small maladies can cause concern.

In 2021 and 2022 he only played in 70 and 72 games, respectively. A hamstring, wrist, forearm, oblique all can be placed in the “fluky” category, but one never knows what is coming next. The catching position is a tough position to play anyway given the natural wear-and-tear.

In 2024, Jansen will be counted on to play an important role offensively and defensively for this club. Fortunately, Toronto has a solid backup option in Alejandro Kirk waiting in the wings for increased playing time. Jansen is heading into his final year of team control while Kirk will be under team control through the 2026 season. This may be his last chance to make a positive impression north of the border.

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