The Toronto Blue Jays return to action on Friday after an off day, looking to extend their two-game winning streak. Toronto will open a three-game series against the San Diego Padres to close a nine-game road trip before the All-Star break.
The Blue Jays enter the weekend with a 44-49 record, sitting third in the American League East. While their most recent wins were impressive, the Blue Jays have been playing well below expectations.
They entered the season as World Series favorites after their impressive playoff run last year, but they currently find themselves two spots behind the final AL Wild Card spot.
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Toronto will be hoping for a bounce-back during the second half of the season and already has its eyes set on the trade market.
Ahead of Friday’s game, the Blue Jays made a move to acquire catcher Ryan Sprock from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed reliever Tommy Nance (h/t Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet).
Nance’s stint in Toronto comes to an end after serving primarily as a depth arm. He heads to Minnesota after appearing in 32 games for the Blue Jays this season. The veteran right-hander went 1-2 with a 3.82 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and a 1.27 WHIP over 33 innings.
Sprock, 21, has enjoyed a breakout 2026 in the minor leagues. The versatile catcher has emerged as one of the Twins’ better young offensive performers this season, batting .297 with five home runs, 38 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, and an .855 OPS across 229 at-bats.
The Blue Jays now turn their attention back to the field as they open their series against San Diego on Friday at 9:40 p.m. ET (6:40 p.m. PT) at Petco Park.
