Toronto Blue Jays third baseman and outfielder Addison Barger will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to elbow surgery. The announcement was made on Friday evening, confirming that Barger’s season is effectively over as he will begin a rehabilitation period.
The exact nature of the surgery is not yet known, as it could be either a full Tommy John procedure or an internal brace alternative. A Tommy John surgery typically involves an estimated nine-month rehabilitation period, which could extend into the 2027 season. If an internal brace is performed, the recovery time is estimated to be closer to six months.
Barger’s Challenging 2026 Season
The 2026 season has been challenging for Barger, who finishes the year with only nine games played. He was previously sidelined for over a month, from early April to early May, due to a left ankle sprain. After being reinstated from the injured list, he played in one additional game.
During that single game, Barger made a notable throw from right field, successfully gunning out Jorge Soler at home plate. While it is not confirmed if this specific play caused the injury, he was subsequently placed on the injured list two days later due to elbow inflammation. Following this, he also experienced a stress reaction in his back while rehabbing his elbow, contributing to further setbacks.
Barger’s offensive statistics for the 2026 season include going 1-for-22 at the plate with two RBI. This contrasts with his performance in the previous season, where he recorded a .243/.301/.454 slash line, 21 home runs, and 74 RBI, and also hit three home runs in the postseason.
Impact on the Blue Jays
Barger’s absence is a significant blow for the Blue Jays, especially given his role in the club’s World Series run last year. Hopes were high for his continued performance in 2026, but the team has struggled to a 47-56 record while Barger has been largely unavailable.
The Blue Jays are currently nine games under .500 and are six games out of the final American League wild-card spot. They are set to begin a series in Boston against the Red Sox on Friday night.
With Barger out for the remainder of the campaign, Kazuma Okamoto is expected to be the regular at third base. The outfield lineup is likely to see more changes. The current roster includes Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, George Springer, Yohendrick Piñango, Davis Schneider, and Myles Straw. Jesús Sánchez is currently on the injured list but recently started a rehab assignment. Anthony Santander might make an appearance late in the year if he recovers from shoulder surgery, though his return is not guaranteed. Jonatan Clase and Lenyn Sosa are also on the injured list.
The team may consider making moves before the August 3 trade deadline. Varsho and Springer are impending free agents, although a trade involving Springer could be complicated by his 10-and-5 rights. Straw’s contract includes an $8MM club option for next year with a $1.75MM buyout, which Cleveland is covering as part of his trade to Toronto, making him a potential trade candidate. Sánchez is under club control through 2027 and is making $6.8MM this year, with an arbitration raise expected, so the Blue Jays may listen to offers for him. Lukes, despite being under club control for four more years, is 32 years old, and the team might be open to trading him while his value is considered high. Rudy Martin was recently claimed off waivers and sent to Triple-A.
The hope is for Barger to return by Opening Day 2027, with the team composition around him depending on upcoming trades and offseason moves.
Source: tsn.ca
