Full Breakdown
Toronto Blue Jays Activate George Springer, Designate Eloy Jimenez for Assignment
4/30/2026, 3:05:05 AM
Springer's Return Triggers Roster Move
On April 29, 2026 the Toronto Blue Jays activated outfielder-designated hitter George Springer from the 10-day injured list. Springer, who fractured a bone in his left big toe on a foul ball against the Minnesota Twins, was cleared to sit on the bench for the series finale against the Boston Red Sox but did not start. To accommodate his return, the club designated first-baseman/outfielder Eloy Jimenez for assignment, removing him from the 26-man roster.
Background: Injury and Roster Replacement
Springer’s injury occurred on April 11 (reported by some outlets as April 12) and kept him out for 14 consecutive games. In his absence, Toronto promoted Eloy Jimenez, a former Silver Slugger winner signed as a free agent in January, to fill the designated-hitter slot on April 12.
Performance Data
Before his injury, Springer posted a .185 batting average with two home runs and six RBIs in 14 games. Jimenez appeared in 12 games, recording a .290 average, a .290/.343/.290 slash line and an 82 wRC+ (18 % below league average) over 35 plate appearances, with no extra-base hits. His recent track record includes a .238/.289/.336 line with a 78 wRC+ in 2024, a .247/.326/.347 Triple-A line in 2025, a .286/.333/.524 spring-training line in 2026, and a .257/.372/.371 performance in 11 Triple-A games earlier this year.
Official Statements & Responses
The Blue Jays announced Springer’s activation and Jimenez’s DFA in a roster move reported by Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae. Pitcher John Schneider’s return to the lineup was cited as part of the roster adjustment that cleared space for Springer.
Why It Matters
Springer’s return restores a veteran presence at the designated-hitter position, reducing the need for Jimenez’s bat and limiting Toronto’s flexibility at DH. The move also reopens roster slots that could accommodate pending returns of pitchers José Berríos, Addison Barger and position players Nathan Lukes and Alejandro Kirk. For Jimenez, the DFA initiates a process that could lead to waivers, a trade, or free agency, underscoring the club’s assessment of his recent production as insufficient for a permanent roster role.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact date of Springer's toe fracture—April 11 in some reports, April 12 in others. No other factual discrepancies appear across the coverage.
What’s Next
Jimenez now enters the DFA clock, giving the Blue Jays up to 48 hours to place him on waivers and up to five days to explore trade options. With five years of major-league service, he may reject an outright assignment and elect free agency if cleared. Toronto’s next roster decisions will focus on integrating returning pitchers and evaluating the DH slot once Springer’s health is fully confirmed.
