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Blue Jays DFA Eloy Jimenez After Springer's Return

4/30/2026

34 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Jiménez Designated Assignment

Toronto designated Eloy Jiménez for assignment after George Springer returned from the 10-day injured list.
Springer fractured his left big toe on April 12 and was activated April 29.
In 35 plate appearances Jiménez hit .290 with an 82 wRC+, 18% below league average, as Toronto was 13-16.
The DFA allows Toronto to waive Jiménez within 48 hours and seek trades.
He may reject the assignment and become a free agent.

Summary

Springer Activated

Springer cleared a medical test on Tuesday, April 28, and was activated from the 10-day injured list.
He will be available off the bench as a pinch-hitter or defensive substitute.
The Blue Jays announced his activation and Jimenez’s designation for assignment before the 3:07 p.m. matinee at Rogers Centre.
Media called Springer a “playoff hero,” noting his activation is the first 2026 10-day IL call-up that did not start the player.

History

Historical Context

The designated-for-assignment process, recorded in official rules and mentioned in media since at least 1955, lets clubs remove a player from the 40-man reserve list and decide within seven days. Toronto Blue Jays have used that mechanism to manage their major league roster, as they did in 2024 when they DFA'd Eloy Jiménez and promoted George Springer.

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Jiménez Designated Assignment

Toronto designated Eloy Jiménez for assignment after George Springer returned from the 10-day injured list.
Springer fractured his left big toe on April 12 and was activated April 29.
In 35 plate appearances Jiménez hit .290 with an 82 wRC+, 18% below league average, as Toronto was 13-16.
The DFA allows Toronto to waive Jiménez within 48 hours and seek trades.
He may reject the assignment and become a free agent.

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