Blue Jays Opening Day Lineup: Batting Order, Starting Pitcher and Injury Report
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After coming 90 feet short of winning the World Series last fall, the Toronto Blue Jays will begin defense of their American League East Division and AL pennant titles on Friday night against the Athletics at home.
The Blue Jays underwent some changes this offseason, mainly losing Bo Bichette and signing former San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease in free agency. The goal remains the same for Toronto under manager John Schneider, who returns a core good enough to make another deep postseason run.
Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day Lineup
DH George Springer
LF Nathan Lukes
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
RF Addison Barger
C Alejandro Kirk
CF Dalton Varsho
3B Kazuma Okamoto
2B Ernie Clement
SS Andrés Giménez
Pitching Matchup
Athletics RHP Luis Severino (8-11, 4.54 ERA in 2025) vs. Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (10-11, 3.59 ERA in 2025)
Gausman is getting the ball on Opening Day. It will be his third overall start on Opening Day and his first with the Blue Jays. He is entering the final year of a five-year contract, and Schneider naming him the starter against the Athletics was an easy one. Toronto is expecting a big year from the right-hander, and they will look for him to set the tone right from the first pitch.
Gausman will be matched up with veteran Luis Severino, who has pitched for the New York Yankees and New York Mets before spending last season with the Athletics.
Today’s Game
Time: 7:07 p.m., EST
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto
TV: Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Radio: SN590 THE FAN
Blue Jays Injuries
10-Day Injured List
OF Anthony Santander (left shoulder labral surgery): After undergoing surgery, Santander is expected back, potentially at the end of the season.
15-Day Injured List
RHP Trey Yesavage (right shoulder impingement): Yesavage is continuing his throwing program and could return sometime in April.
RHP Shane Beiber (right elbow inflammation): After re-signing, Beiber went on the IL on Wednesday and is expected back in May at some point.
RHP Yimi García (right elbow surgery): After undergoing surgery, García is ramping up with a potential return sometime in April.
RHP José Berríos (right elbow stress fracture): Berríos' timeline is to be determined when he could return.
60-Day Injured List
RHP Bowden Francis (right UCL reconstruction surgery): Francis underwent surgery and will miss the 2026 season.
Week-to-Week
LHP Ricky Tiedmann (left elbow soreness): Tiedmann was expected to begin throwing, but he has had a setback and his return is to be determined.
Scott Roche has covered both college and professional sports for nearly three decades for various outlets. Scott has covered the MLB, NHL, and college sports and he is someone always looking for a good rumor, no matter which sport it is.