Coming into the season, the Toronto Blue Jays looked to have at least one too many deserving position players to fit into everyday roles. Even as injuries have created opportunities at times, that truth bore fruit on Monday.<\/p>\n
According to an official team announcement and the transactions log, the Blue Jays<\/a> optioned utility player<\/a> Davis Schneider to Triple-A on Monday as the corresponding move for activating outfielder Nathan Lukes<\/a> off the 10-day injured list. Schneider, who has played 290 major league games since his debut in 2023, has only been optioned one other time (last April) and had been on the major league roster since June 1 of last year.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Schneider’s role with the Blue Jays has fluctuated drastically, but at his best, he’s a viable platoon player with the potential to catch fire. He hit a home run on the first pitch of Game 5 of last year’s World Series against Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> star Blake Snell<\/a> and had a .733 OPS in his 24 postseason plate appearances. Overall, he’s given the Blue Jays a respectable .714 OPS and 2.5 major league bWAR.<\/p>\n As much as it seemed like Schneider deserved a spot on the Blue Jays to open the year, however, he’s really struggled at the plate in a short-sided platoon role. In 89 plate appearances this season, he sports a slash line of .127\/.295\/.211, with only four extra-base hits and 31 strikeouts.<\/p>\n After the Blue Jays signed free agent Kazuma Okamoto<\/a> to be their everyday third baseman, shifting Ernie Clement<\/a> to a primary second base role, Clement was thrust into a tough outfield mix with Lukes, Daulton Varsho<\/a>, Yohendrick Pi\u00f1ango, Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez, Myles Straw<\/a>, and the injured Addison Barger<\/a>.<\/p>\n Do you have a take to get off your chest? Do you want to engage in a growing Blue Jays community? Comment on our content alongside staff and fans alike!<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n From this point forward, nothing is guaranteed for Schneider as the Blue Jays look to climb out of the early hole they put themselves in with poor play. Entering Monday, Toronto stood at 25-28 after going 6-4 in its last 10 games. They’re 10 1\/2 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays<\/a>, though the American League Wild Card picture is far less impressive.<\/p>\n