If everyone can stay healthy down the stretch, the Blue Jays are going to have more options for their starting rotation than they may even be able to handle. That’s not something we’ve been used to saying around this team in recent years, and it’s a good problem to have.
Right now, the Blue Jays rotation features a five-some of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer, and Eric Lauer, and overall, they’ve been an effective group in 2025. Gausman-Berrios-Bassitt have been a pretty reliable trio for John Schneider to run out over the last few years, and Lauer has been a very pleasant surprise this season for a team that needed someone to step up and provide steady innings after Bowden Francis went down with an injury, and other depth options have dealt with IL time of their own. Scherzer has looked pretty good when he’s been healthy, but unfortunately, he’s been sidelined a fair bit so far this year as well, although he’s been active and effective lately.
As we look ahead to the remaining 49 games left in the regular season schedule, Schneider could potentially see his options expand in the rotation.
First and foremost, Shane Bieber was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, and when he’s ready to make his Blue Jays’ debut then they’re going to find a spot for the former Cy Young winner. Unless they decide to roll out a 6-man rotation, then it’s going to cost a deserving candidate their job as a starter, but that’s a short-term problem and a sacrifice that this team needs to be willing to make. In my opinion, I think the most likely scenario is that Lauer is moved to the long-man/second left-hander role in the bullpen for the time being, even if he’s been arguably their most effective starter in recent weeks. To me, it’s really hard to see any of the veteran group of Gausman, Berrios, Bassitt, or Scherzer being asked to give up their turn in the rotation, at least for now.
6 pitches, 6 strikes, 2 strikeouts.
Shane Bieber is dealin’ early! @BlueJays pic.twitter.com/H8psKewBTh
— Buffalo Bisons (@BuffaloBisons) August 3, 2025
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This good problem could compound a bit more in a few weeks when Alek Manoah is ready to go; however, the big fella still has minor league options, and it’s possible that he could be asked to stay ready in Buffalo in case of injury. At his best, Manoah can be a top-tier starting pitcher, even if it’s been a while since we’ve seen that version of the former top 3 finisher in Cy Young voting from 2022. However, as a depth option for this season and a likely fixture in 2026 and beyond, the Blue Jays are in a strong position with their depth chart.
I’m sure Manoah will want to come back to the big leagues as soon as possible, and maybe they use him in a bullpen role for the remainder of 2025, but regardless, I believe that he probably only sees MLB starts if there are injuries to cover.
It might be too early to have this conversation, but where things could get really interesting will be when the playoffs come along.
If everyone is healthy and available there there’s going to be at least one strong veteran who will likely end up pitching out of the bullpen instead. In some ways, that could also drive some healthy competition down the stretch between the veteran staff, as I’m sure no one wants to miss out on the chance to start in the postseason. They’ll all have the motivation of getting to the playoffs as a group, and I have no doubt they’ll be supportive of each other on route to that goal, but don’t kid yourselves if you think Max Scherzer wants to be left out of the postseason rotation, or any of the other vets for that matter. As things stand, Schneider and the coaching staff will have the luxury/difficult task of choosing how to stack their deck, and it might come down to who has the hot hand come September/October.
Man felt so great to be back out there, hear the National Anthems and toe that rubber. 392 days! Thank you Jesus! Been a long journey, look forward to continuing to get better, have fun and COMPETE everyday!! pic.twitter.com/rmSLBmgode
— MANOAH (@Alek_Manoah6) July 14, 2025
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Of course, things could change in a hurry if any of their rotation regulars need to miss any time, and Scherzer has had some spotty history not just this season, but over the last few. As for Manoah, it’s hard to say what he’ll look like right away coming back from Tommy John surgery, even if I have faith that he’ll be an asset for this team again at some point.
For those reasons and more, the Blue Jays were wise to invest in their starting group to make sure that they not only raised the ceiling of what they could be capable of, especially in the playoffs, but were in a stronger position in case any injuries should pop up between now and the end of the year. For a team that was flirting with danger with a thin depth chart for several months, they’re in a much better position now.
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