Blue Jays’ Jesus Sanchez struck by ball from fan, leaves injured

Bizarre incident appears to have been accidental and involved a young fan: Reports

Published May 31, 2026  •  Last updated 2 hours ago  •  3 minute read

Blue Jays' Jesús Sánchez reacts after hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning of their MLB game against the Miami Marlins at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by COLE BURSTON /GETTY IMAGES

The Blue Jays have been hard hit by injuries all season, but the latest apparent setback was undoubtedly the weirdest one yet. 

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Blue Jays outfielder Jesus Sanchez exited Sunday’s series finale against the Orioles in Baltimore in a bizarre fashion. 

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During the sixth inning, Sanchez was seemingly struck by a ball thrown from a fan in the stands. Much of what transpired during the strange incident was initially limited to speculation.

The Blue Jays broadcast crew did not immediately have video footage of the incident, and seemingly neither did the Orioles side of the broadcast.

Viewers at home were left to wonder what on earth had just transpired, with the television broadcast crew similarly in the dark.

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In due time, grainy video footage emerged, appearing to confirm that a fan did throw a ball toward Sanchez, who did not appear to be expecting it. 

Sanchez’s glove and a baseball could be seen out in the right-field area that he patrols, though it wasn’t the game ball being used with the Orioles up to bat and leading 6-0 at the time. 

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Sanchez appeared to be in significant discomfort as manager John Schneider and a trainer went to tend to him in the outfield. Moments later, the first-year Blue Jays outfielder left the game. 

The incident transpired during a mound visit, and early suggestions were that perhaps a young fan unintentionally threw the ball at an unsuspecting Sanchez, who was not facing the ball when it struck him.

Sportsnet reporter Arden Zwelling later reported that the injury may have been entirely accidental, explaining that, essentially, a young fan and Sanchez might have been engaged in some sort of harmless game of catch gone wrong.

Through an interpreter, Sanchez shed some light on the situation post-game.

“It was a misunderstanding. I wasn’t trying to play catch right there with them. I just looked at them and they thought maybe that I wanted them to throw the ball back to me,” he said, per Zwelling.

“(Catcher Brandon) Valenzuela went to the mound to talk to the pitcher with two on base. It was a break there. So, I just kind of relaxed a little bit, looked back, looked at them, and I guess they thought that I wanted to play catch with them.

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“It was a big surprise, of course. I wasn’t imagining that was going to happen.”

Blue Jays manager Schneider was likewise surprised.

“He was pretty sore and surprised. As were we. A ball shouldn’t be coming into the field of play anywhere,” the skipper said, via Zwelling.

“I’m sure the kid feels bad. I’m assuming there was no ill intent there,” he added.

A fan was removed from the stands, per reports.

The Blue Jays later confirmed that Sanchez sustained a “right wrist contusion.” The player underwent precautionary x-rays which came back negative for a fracture.

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Injuries continue to pile up

The latest setback comes one day after the Jays suffered an epic collapse. With the Jays up 5-1, Jeff Hoffman came on in the ninth inning and imploded en route to a 6-5 walkoff victory by host Baltimore. 

The list of injured starting pitchers currently includes Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber, Jose Berrios and Cody Ponce, while injured relievers include Joe Mantiply, Tommy Nance, Yimi Garcia and Bowden Francis. 

Injured position players include Addison Barger, Alejandro Kirk, Leyln Sosa and Anthony Santandar. 

Life doesn’t get any easier for the Jays, who will have a much-needed day off on Monday before taking on the National League-leading Braves for a three-game set in Atlanta on Tuesday. 

Toronto returns to open a nine-game homestand on Friday against the Orioles before taking on the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees later in the week. 

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