Major Setback for Young Pitcher

In a significant blow to their pitching roster, the Toronto Blue Jays have announced that rising star Jake Bloss will undergo UCL surgery. This decision puts the 23-year-old on the sidelines for the remainder of this season and a good part of 2026.

Promising Career Cut Short

Despite Blosss' limited experience in Major League Baseball, his absence will be felt deeply within the team's depth. The young prospect was acquired in the trade that sent Yusei Kikuchi to Houston last summer, making him one of the standout players from that exchange. Bloss debuted with the Astros last year, struggling initially with nine runs allowed over 11 2/3 innings, but boasted an impressive 3.18 ERA across 93 1/3 innings in the minors.

Chasing MLB Stardom

With the Blue Jays starting the season with a rotation featuring Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer, and Bowden Francis, Bloss faced stiff competition for a starting role. However, he was poised as a top backup option in case of injury. Unfortunately, following a rough spring training where he allowed eight runs in just eight innings, Bloss had a rocky start to the current season, yielding 18 earned runs in less than 12 innings across his first three Triple-A starts.

Injury Leaves Depth Chart Vulnerable

Bloss' struggles can now be attributed to the injury needing surgery, joining fellow Blue Jays prospects Tiedemann, Brock, and Macko, all of whom are facing their own recovery journeys. The team's rotation depth is stretched thin, especially considering they are awaiting the return of Alek Manoah from last year’s UCL procedure.

Looking Ahead: Bloss’ Future with the Jays

Luckily for Bloss, with his birthday coming up in June, he still has ample time to recover and re-establish himself as a vital member of the Blue Jays in the future. However, the immediate impact of his surgery creates further questions regarding Toronto's already injury-plagued pitching lineup.

New Additions to the Roster

To bolster their pitching staff, the Blue Jays recently signed Spencer Turnbull and Jose Ureña to major league contracts, with Ureña already starting two games. They are also looking into further depth, including recently picking up Connor Overton on a minor league deal. Meanwhile, lefty Easton Lucas has had a mixed performance, accumulating a 7.41 ERA.

Potential Roster Moves

Bloss, currently on an optional assignment, isn’t accruing major league pay or service time. The Jays might consider placing him on the major league 60-day injured list to create a roster spot while allowing Bloss to start earning major league salary. He is currently at 39 days of service time, just 133 days shy of the one-year mark, with enough time left in the season for him to potentially reach this milestone.