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Dylan Cease: Missing the Playoffs 'Hurts More Than I Can Put Into Words'
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- Dylan Cease: Missing the Playoffs 'Hurts More Than I Can Put Into Words'
Dylan Cease had a message for Toronto Blue Jays fans after a disappointing season ended without a postseason appearance.
The Blue Jays entered 2026 with high expectations after coming within two outs of winning the World Series the previous year. Instead, Toronto fell out of the playoff race and finished with a 79-83 record.
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Cease addressed the disappointment in a message shared by the Blue Jays on X, acknowledging how much the season's outcome hurt.
"Leaving this season without playing in October hurts more than I can put into words," Cease wrote. "I know how much this city believed in us, and wanted to give them more."
The right-hander also made it clear that he remains proud of his teammates and the organization despite the difficult season. "We fell short together, and I promise we will carry that pain with us into 2027," Cease added.
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Cease had plenty to be proud of individually. After signing a seven-year, $210 million contract, he delivered a strong first season in Toronto, finishing with an 11-6 record, a 2.40 ERA and 239 strikeouts across 169 innings.
Unfortunately for Cease, his performance was not enough to overcome the Blue Jays' broader problems. Injuries affected the pitching staff, while Toronto struggled to maintain the form expected from a team that had recently reached the World Series.
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (14)John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Blue Jays also dealt with a difficult finish to the season, ultimately missing October baseball entirely. That outcome made Cease's message to the fan base even more meaningful.
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Toronto now has a long offseason to figure out what went wrong and how to avoid another disappointing campaign. For Cease, the goal is clear: use the frustration of 2026 as motivation.
The Blue Jays may not be playing in October, but Cease's message suggests the disappointment inside the clubhouse could carry into next season.
ALSO SEE: MLB Playoff Betting: Best Division Round Predictions for Tuesday, Oct. 6
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
