Mitch Bannon

Toronto

Blue Jays Beat Writer at The Athletic

MLB/NFL writer at @OddsShark, sometimes MLBCom, @thejaysnation, Oddspedia • Past words: @SiNow, @DailyOrange, @PitcherList, @TheTorontoSix • McGill, Syracuse

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Articles

Blue Jays pitching prospect Jake Bloss to undergo UCL surgery

1 day ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

TORONTO - Jake Bloss entered 2025 as an ace up the Toronto Blue Jays' sleeve. The 23-year-old right-hander and No. 6 prospect in Toronto's farm system, according to The Athletic 's Keith Law, started the season in Triple A waiting for his next crack at the big leagues. Now Bloss, the key piece of the 2024 trade deadline deal that sent Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros, will undergo ulnar collateral ligament surgery, another blow to the Blue Jays' rotation depth.
Submit your questions for Mitch Bannon's first Blue Jays mailbag

2 days ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

It's May 12 and the Blue Jays have won as many games as they have lost. Judging strictly by the offence, that might be difficult to believe. But it is true, thanks to a four-game winning streak to wrap up their previous West Coast road trip. Mitch Bannon, our new Blue Jays beat writer, has had a few weeks to get acclimated. Let's get his take on where the Blue Jays stand. Please submit your questions below.
Vintage George Springer, Addison Barger's new chill and more

2 days ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

SEATTLE - The 2025 Toronto Blue Jays haven't produced many offensive explosions. They haven't earned many sweeps or given much rest to the bullpen, either. The Jays did it all Sunday with a 9-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. George Springer sent a three-run homer to left, six different batters drove in runs, and Toronto polished off its first three-game sweep in Seattle since 1991.
fewer Blue Jays fans make annual trek to Seattle

3 days ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

SEATTLE - Michele Dyck and her son, Ryan, made the 90-minute drive down from Langley, B.C. to Seattle. With the exception of the pandemic, it's a pilgrimage they've made every year since 2018, alongside thousands of Canadians living on the West Coast who flood T-Mobile Park to see the Toronto Blue Jays as an annual tradition. Most years, that influx of Jays fans meant waiting at the border for up to four hours. But this isn't most years, as evidenced by tariffs, trade wars and 51st-state talk.
Blue Jays place Andrés Giménez on IL with quad strain

5 days ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

The Toronto Blue Jays' infield lost a defensive centrepiece as Andrés Giménez was placed on the injured list with a right quad strain. Giménez was removed from Wednesday's game in Anaheim after running out a bunt single in the seventh inning. The team recalled infielder Michael Stefanic on Friday in his place and designated Dillon Tate for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette refining defence that could shape his potential free agency

5 days ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Bo Bichette wasn't in his usual spot. Three hours before a Saturday contest against the Boston Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays shortstop would typically be on the infield dirt to face relentless groundballs hit by third-base coach Carlos Febles. But on this day, Febles leaned on his bat and enjoyed a rare moment of pregame rest. "He wants to take groundballs every day," Febles said of Bichette. "I'm the one to say no.
Blue Jays' bullpen bears the weight of endless close games

6 days ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Blue Jays ' bullpen was a bright spot for the first month of the season. Toronto's relievers ranked 12th in bullpen ERA in April with the league's best strikeout rate. In close game after close game, the Blue Jays leaned on leverage relievers, turning to Jeff Hoffman, Yimi García and Brendon Little to lock down the late innings. In that first month, the bullpen held up as the offence scuttled. Lately, the burden has weighed too heavily.
Jake Bloss' injury, Trey Yesavage's ascendance and more

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Jake Bloss was on the brink of a big-league return. Then, the Triple-A starter walked off an Iowa mound as Buffalo Bisons medical staff felt his throwing arm. The right-hander had imaging on his right elbow in Toronto, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, and may see a doctor outside the organization. It's a setback for the surging starter, Keith Law's No. 6 ranked prospect in the Blue Jays' system, and the latest blow to Toronto's rotation depth.
Pitch-tipping prevalence, Bichette's power and more

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

TORONTO - The Blue Jays wrapped up a six-game homestand on Sunday with a 5-4 loss to the Guardians. Toronto had Bo Bichette standing on third base as the hopeful tying run in the ninth inning, but instead fell two games under .500 at 16-18. Here's three takeaways from the homestand as the Blue Jays prepare for the team's first West Coast swing against the Angels and Mariners. 1. Blue Jays sidestep pitch-tipping paranoiaThere's a fine line between vigilance and paranoia.
Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman rebounds with brilliance after brutal 53-pitch inning in last start

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Mitch Bannon

TORONTO - Kevin Gausman's final pitch was a 97.8 mph fastball at the bottom corner of the zone. It was a called strike to freeze Nolan Jones, earning Gausman his ninth and final strikeout. That was the pitch that eluded Gausman in his last outing - the start where his day ended with a historic 53-pitch inning and an ejection . On Saturday, in the Toronto Blue Jays' 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, the misses were gone and the innings were efficient.