Leo

Jimenez

Jiménez heads back to the minors to make room for starting catcher Alejandro Kirk to return from the concussion injured list prior to Sunday’s game against the Royals.

Giménez winds up landing on the injured list after aggravating a left ankle issue during Friday’s contest against the Angels. Th 26-year-old second baseman figures to miss at least a couple weeks. It’ll be some combination of Leo Jiménez and Davis Schneider filling in at the keystone.

Bichette will miss his fourth straight game while battling right knee discomfort. Andres Gimenez is also out of the lineup, so the Blue Jays will deploy a double-play partnership of Ernie Clement at shortstop and Leo Jimenez at second.

With Bo Bichette nursing a knee injury, the Blue Jays needed some extra help up the middle. Jiménez will immediately enter the starting lineup at shortstop and bat ninth on Tuesday. The 24-year-old was hitting .271/.417/.333 in 15 games at Triple-A with 10 runs scored, 11 strikeouts, and nine walks. He remains off the fantasy radar in all leagues until we know if Bichette will avoid the IL.

Loperfido had a chance to compete for a spot on the Toronot’s Opening Day roster, but he struggled badly in Grapefruit League action, hitting just .207 (6-for-29) with zero homers and two RBI. He’ll continue to hone his craft at the Triple-A level until another opportunity arises.

Jimenez will get Friday night’s game off, and 2024 first-round pick Arun Nimmala will instead get the start at shortstop.

Ernie Clement will slide over to shortstop to replace Jimenez in the field and Addison Barger will play third base and hit seventh. It’s unclear how long Jimenez might be out for.

Jiménez was hit in the foot for the fifth time in seven games, and it’s at least in part due to him being hit in the foot earlier in the month. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the foot is still “pretty sore” and that the team is being careful with the 23-year-old as the season comes to a close. It’s also worth noting that Ernie Clement has been one of Toronto’s best offensive players, so that has a little something to do with Jiménez lack of consistent time, as well.

This seems like a routine day off for Clement, who has been one of the best hitters in the Blue Jays’ lineup since the All-Star break. Leo Jimenez will play shortstop and bat eighth.

Ernie Clement played shortstop in his place the last two days. Typically, he’d slide back to third base now. However, he’s getting the night off, resulting in Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s seventh start at the hot corner this season.