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Blue Jays cut 24-year-old infielder immediately before Opening Day: report
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- Blue Jays cut 24-year-old infielder immediately before Opening Day: report
The Toronto Blue Jays have designated Leo Jimenez for assignment on March 25, when MLB teams set their Opening Day rosters for the 2026 season, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
Jimenez, 24, debuted with the Blue Jays in 2024. Over the last two seasons, he’s compiled a .207/.303/.332 slash line with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 81 games.
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Jimenez also competed for Team Panama in the World Baseball Classic earlier this month. He slashed .231/.310/.231 in 14 spring training games for Toronto.
By designating Jimenez for assignment, the Blue Jays will create a 40-man roster spot for Rule 5 draft pick Spencer Miles. The 25-year-old reliever won an Opening Day roster spot, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.
By cutting Jimenez, the Blue Jays effectively signaled their open infield roster spot will go to Davis Schneider , a key cog in the team’s run to the 2025 World Series.
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Jimenez struggled with injuries and mononucleosis last season, when he hit .069 (2 for 29) with eight strikeouts in 18 MLB games. In 19 games with Triple-A Buffalo last year, he slashed .304/.437/.375.
Schneider wasn’t much better at the plate in spring training (.132/.277/.132) than Jimenez. But the decision might have hinged on Schneider’s positional versatility (he’s played left field, second base and third base in three seasons in Toronto) as well as his respected clubhouse presence.
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