After a disappointing start to the 2026 MLB season, the Toronto Blue Jays have started to turn things around in recent weeks. The Blue Jays have won three of their past four series, registering an 8-5 record to get themselves back into a wild card position in the American League standings as a result.
Many of the Blue Jays player that were previously struggling have started to come around during this recent stretch. But for a select few, they may still be searching for the right recipe to get their game back on track.
These struggling Blue Jays players need a convincing big month ahead of them
Davis Schneider
No player likely needs a reset more than Toronto fan favourite Davis Schneider. Despite beginning the year on a strong note with seven runs scored, one home run and five RBIs, a .294 average and 1.008 OPS in his first nine games, Schneider has pounded out only two hits since then. In fact, he had actually been hitless since April 14 until his key two-run RBI single during the Blue Jays’ explosive eighth inning on Saturday to help pave way to their 11-4 thrashing of the Minnesota Twins.
For someone that was a solid offensive contributor last season with a .797 OPS and 11 home runs in 188 at-bats as a key member off the bench, the Blue Jays will need more of that from Schneider going forward.
Mason Fluharty
As one of the key lefty bullpen arms down the stretch and in the playoffs for Toronto last year, Mason Fluharty has had a tough start to his 2026 MLB season. Prior to May, Fluharty had posted a 7.36 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, giving up nine earned runs in just 11 innings of work. Despite that, the 24-year-old left-hander had still recorded one win, five holds and 16 strikeouts in the process, with all of the runs that he gave up coming in just five of his 16 appearances.
As a result, if Fluharty can just be more consistent in his performance in May, he can become a key part of the two-headed lefty monster out of the Blue Jays bullpen with Joe Mantiply.
Eric Lauer
After putting together a solid year as a swingman with the Blue Jays in 2025, Eric Lauer has uncharacteristically struggled to an extent during the first month of this season. In six games that has included five starts, Lauer has compiled a 1–3 record with a 6.00 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, giving up 18 earned runs including seven home runs with 13 walks and 20 strikeouts in just 27 total innings.
If he wants to remain in the starting rotation, he will need to pitch more like his impressive season debut where he went 5.1 innings, giving up just two runs with nine strikeouts against the Athletics on March 29. Otherwise, a potential bullpen assignment could be in store for the 30-year-old left-hander in the near future.
Jeff Hoffman
Finally, we have the ongoing struggles of former Blue Jays’ closer Jeff Hoffman. After a wild up-and-down 2025 campaign with Toronto, that trend for Hoffman has unfortunately continued into 2026. The 33-year-old veteran was virtually unstoppable in his first four appearances of the season, giving up one run with zero walks while striking out 10 in just four innings of work.
However, things had completely fallen apart for Hoffman in his subsequent outings, leading to his removal from his closer’s role, for the time being. On the season, he has amassed a 6.14 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, three blown saves, while giving up 10 earned runs in just 14.2 innings pitched. But surprisingly, at the same time, Hoffman has also recorded a whopping 28 strikeouts, resulting in a strikeout rate close to 40% which is a career high.
Since moving to a non-closing role, the 33-year-old right-hander appeared to have settled down, giving up just one run in his past four relief outings. As a result, perhaps moving to become the 7th/8th inning man where he pretty much excelled during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies could get him back on track with Toronto going forward.