The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly agreed to terms with veteran slugger Eloy Jimenez, bringing him back after a brief 2025 stint that included a designation for assignment and an election of free agency. Jimenez returns after producing a .290/.343/.290 line
The Blue Jays didn’t waste time once Eloy Jimenez hit the open market again. Toronto has reportedly reached agreement on a contract with the veteran slugger, a reunion that arrives after a rocky stretch the last time he wore the Blue Jays’ uniform.
Jimenez initially agreed to a minor league contract with Toronto during the 2025 season. After that deal, he entered free agency during the offseason, then re-signed with the Blue Jays before the 2026 campaign. In total, he appeared in 12 MLB games with Toronto before being designated for assignment and ultimately electing free agency.
Now, he’s headed back to Toronto.
When Jimenez did get time on the field this time around, he made it count in limited opportunities. Across 35 total plate appearances, the 29-year-old posted a .290/.343/.290 slash line, a reminder of what he can do when the at-bats come.
The numbers also tug at the bigger question that has followed Jimenez through his career: whether he can stay on the field long enough to turn flashes into consistency. He was once widely viewed as a future superstar. In 2019, he finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting with the Chicago White Sox. In 2020, he earned a Silver Slugger Award.
Injuries have been a limiting factor since then. and that gap between expectations and output has left fans waiting for the fully healthy version to take over a full season. Still, the power is real. If Jimenez can remain available and receive steady opportunities. the Blue Jays believe he can provide a meaningful jolt to their lineup.
Toronto’s need is clear. The club is currently 23-27 overall this season and sits in third place in the American League East. The standings gap is wide: the Blue Jays are 11 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place.
That urgency will play out quickly. On Friday, the Blue Jays will begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home, with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 PM EST.
Toronto Blue Jays Eloy Jimenez MLB American League East Pittsburgh Pirates Mitch Bannon The Athletic
Why are they signing him again lol
Wait he got DFA’d and then they just bring him back?? Sounds like a PR move. Also .290/.343/.290 is kind of confusing like that last number is low right?
So he only played like 12 games last time and they still trust him. Injuries are the whole issue, but sure “power is real” I guess. I don’t get it. If they’re 23-27 and 11 back, signing a guy coming off a free agency trip isn’t gonna fix anything.
This is why baseball feels random now. One minute he’s with the Jays, next minute he’s on the minors, then he’s free again?? I swear I saw he got injured in 2019 or something so how is he suddenly a slugger again. Anyway Pirates series should be fun, but I don’t think 7:07 first pitch is gonna save their season.