Sports

Blue Jays place outfielder Addison Barger on injured list

By
The Canadian Press

Updated: 

Published: 

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Patrick Corbin delivers a pitch against the Guardians during a Major League Baseball game on Sept. 28, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

The Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Addison Barger on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left ankle sprain, the latest development in what has been a rough stretch for the reigning American League champions.

Injuries and underperformance have plagued the team over the last week. The Blue Jays took a five-game losing skid into their night game against starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

Catcher Alejandro Kirk was expected to miss six weeks after undergoing left thumb surgery and right-hander Cody Ponce (knee) would likely be sidelined for six months, manager John Schneider said.

“I’m a firm believer in that you’ve got to just turn the page to what’s important now,” Schneider said in a pre-game availability. “What’s important now is trying to beat Yamamoto and trying to keep these guys in the yard. And that’s all we’re focused on really.”

The Dodgers shelled the Blue Jays 14-2 in the opener of the three-game series on Monday. 

A day earlier, Barger hurt his ankle while trying to leg out a grounder in a loss to the Chicago White Sox. 

“Hopefully this is a minimal (IL) stint for Addy,” Schneider said. “I think he was trending in the right direction offensively and he’s obviously going to be a big part of what we’re doing. 

“So we want to get him as much treatment and as much rest as we can for the next couple days and see where the activity can go.” 

Barger, who was 1-for-19 to start the season, hit .243 over 135 regular-season games last year with 21 homers and 74 RBIs.

Kirk suffered a bone fracture after taking a foul tip to his catching hand in a game last Friday against the White Sox. 

Doctors inserted a screw into his thumb during the procedure, Schneider said.

Ponce was slated to undergo surgery next week to repair a sprained anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. 

He was hurt while trying to field a ball in a game against the Colorado Rockies on March 30. 

“Hopefully we can play late into the season and get him back in some capacity,” Schneider said.

Ponce was slated to undergo surgery next week to repair a sprained anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. 

He was hurt while trying to field a ball in a game against the Colorado Rockies on March 30. 

“Hopefully we can play late into the season and get him back in some capacity,” Schneider said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press