Blue Jays avoid worst-case scenario following elbow surgery to Barger

Already sidelined for the rest of the season, Addison Barger underwent elbow surgery Monday amid fears he would need a 12-month recovery.

Published Jul 27, 2026  •  2 minute read

Blue Jays' Addison Barger Photo by Gregory Shamus /Getty Images

Amid a potential labour disruption, no one in the baseball industry can say with any certainty when next season will begin and as a result, no one knows the precise timeline for spring training.

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Given these uncertainties, it was strange to hear the Blue Jays say Addison Barger should be ready to resume activities this coming winter in spring training.

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When a club continues to grasp at any signs of optimism, news that Barger avoided the worst-case scenario following Monday’s elbow surgery was met with relief.

A break-out performer last season, Barger’s 2026 body of work will involve appearing in nine games, while recording one hit.

“It was just a repair, so that’s good news,” manager John Schneider told the media prior to Monday’s series opener in Washington against the Nationals.

“It wasn’t a full reconstruction, so that’s like roughly six months.”

It was one week ago when the Jays announced Barger would be sidelined for the balance of the season, fearing his damaged elbow could possibly lead to Barger missing as much as a full calendar year.

Barring a substantial setback, the timeline for Barger’s projected return has been cut in half.

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When Schneider dropped the news of Barger’s season-ending injury, the skipper confided Barger had been dealing with an elbow issue for “a couple years.”

Barger’s 100-plus m.p.h. throw from right field to home plate in early May to throw out a runner only exacerbated the elbow.

Another doc for Garcia

In other injury-related developments, Yimi Garcia, who has yet to appear in a game this season, is scheduled to visit yet another doctor as he continues to deal with neck/nerve symptoms.

According to Schneider, the club’s right-hander reliever who would have been used in leverage, will be shut down.

Whether it’s Garcia, Barger, Anthony Santander or one of a handful of starters the club was counting on, the what-if game continues.

Meanwhile, Jesus Sanchez (ankle) could rejoin the Jays later this week when the club opens a home series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Sanchez is scheduled to complete his minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday.

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