The Toronto Blue Jays face an important decision as they finalize their opening day roster this spring, with the last outfield spot up for grabs. This opportunity has arisen partly due to Anthony Santander being sidelined for most of the season after undergoing labrum surgery in his shoulder, an injury that also limited him throughout 2025. To fill the void in the outfield, Toronto acquired Jesús Sánchez, expected to take the starting right field position. Daulton Varsho is likely to begin in center field, while left field candidates include Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes, or Myles Straw. One player in this trio may serve primarily as a rotational backup.
Jonatan Clase’s Strong Start in Spring Training
Among the contenders for the final outfield slot is Jonatan Clase, a promising young player who has impressed with his spring performance. Clase recorded a flawless 3-for-3 game with two RBIs and a run scored while batting leadoff during Toronto’s 4-4 tie with the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. His spring training batting average currently stands at .300, showcasing his early impact. This raises the question: can Clase leverage this momentum to claim an opening day roster spot? What will it take for him to secure the role?
Evaluating Clase’s Case for the Blue Jays’ Roster
Since Clase is already on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster, his main challenge is not gaining entry but proving he deserves regular playing time. With several players representing their countries in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), Clase is presented with extra at-bats in the coming weeks to demonstrate he’s the best choice for the final bench spot.
Clase’s 2025 season was mixed. He appeared in 34 games for Toronto, mainly filling in when starters like Varsho were injured. During that time, he moved between Triple-A Buffalo and the major league team twice. At the major league level, Clase posted a slash line of .210/.288/.300, with two home runs and nine RBIs. His minor league statistics that year were stronger, hitting .255/.335/.403 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs.
Clase began 2024 with the Seattle Mariners, the organization that signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. After playing 19 games with Seattle, he was traded to Toronto along with catcher Jacob Sharp in exchange for pitcher Yimi Garcia, who notably has since returned to the Blue Jays.
Versatility Enhances Clase’s Value to Toronto
One of Clase’s biggest advantages in competing for the roster spot is his flexibility. During his stints with the Blue Jays and Mariners, he primarily played left and center fields. In the minors, he has experience at all three outfield positions, which increases his usefulness to the team. This positional versatility, combined with his improving bat, could tip the scales in his favor when Toronto makes its final roster decisions. Clase’s ability to contribute across multiple roles offers the Blue Jays a valuable option off the bench instead of sending him back to Triple-A Buffalo.
Jonatan Clase sends one deep for a two-run double 💪 pic.twitter.com/uNhbhKyDRu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 1, 2026
