5 days ago
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The Toronto Blue Jays are off to a slow start and were tied for last in the American League East, at 6-9, entering Monday. Amid those struggles, the team is adding a 20-home-run bat to its lineup.
Toronto acquired infielder Lenyn Sosa from the Chicago White Sox on Monday. In exchange, 18-year-old outfielder Jordan Rich — a 17th-round draft pick last year — is going to the South Side along with a player to be named later or cash.
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Sosa, 26, had a career-best season last year, hitting 22 home runs with 20 doubles, 75 RBI and a slash line of .264/.293/.434 in 544 plate appearances. It was Sosa’s first full season in MLB, and he played in 140 games.
Sosa has struggled to start the 2026 campaign, hitting .212/.212/.303 with three extra-base hits in 33 PAs.
In his MLB career, Sosa has mostly played second base, but the Blue Jays have Ernie Clement (.311 average, .716 OPS) holding down that position. Sosa also has experience at third, having played 65 games there, and that might be where he fits best in Toronto.
Kazuma Okamoto has a .204/.283/.333 slash line through 60 PAs. Defensively, he’s credited with minus-1 Defensive Run Saved and minus-2 Outs Above Average. Sosa isn’t much better with his glove, but if he finds last season’s form at the plate, he’ll provide an offensive upgrade for the Jays.
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Designated hitter is another role Sosa could fill with George Springer going on the injured list due to a fractured left toe. While Springer also started slowly, hitting .185/.290/.370 despite four doubles and two home runs so far this year, he put up MVP-caliber numbers last season, with 32 home runs, 27 doubles, 84 RBI, 18 stolen bases and a triple-slash of .309/.399/.560.
To clear a spot for Sosa on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays moved pitcher Shane Bieber to the 60-day IL. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner isn’t likely to return until at least May while he works his way back from forearm fatigue and elbow inflammation.
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