The Toronto Blue Jays are going for a series win against the San Francico Giants on Wednesday afternoon, in a rare matinee game on the West coast. After this series with the Giants concludes, the Blue Jays will stay out west to take on the San Diego Padres.
Before the Giants series finale, Toronto released its lineup a couple of hours before first pitch, and it features a notable Brandon Valenzuela decision. Toronto will have it’s ace on the mound in the form of Dylan Cease (5-4, 2.79 ERA, 137 SO), who has really been everything and more for the Blue Jays, and the Toronto lineup will face Giants’ starter, Logan Webb, in the series finale.
More MLB on Heavy: Recently Released Toronto Blue Jays Player Signs With New MLB Team
Brandon Valenzuela Absent from Blue Jays Lineup on Wednesday
GettyTORONTO, CANADA – JUNE 7: Brandon Valenzuela #59 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning at Rogers Centre on June 7, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/Getty Images)
Here is the official Blue Jays lineup (for 7/8), courtesy of @UnderdogMLB:Â
Blue Jays 7/8: “E. Clement 2B N. Lukes RF V. Guerrero Jr. 1B G. Springer DH D. Varsho CF K. Okamoto 3B A. Kirk C J. Clase LF A. Giménez SS D. Cease SP”
Some notables from the lineup drop: Brandon Valenzuela is absent from the Blue Jays order after getting the start on Tuesday (in a Blue Jays win). George Springer is back in the lineup, and Kazuma Okamoto slides down a couple of starts with the right-hander Webb on the mound for the Giants.
More MLB on Heavy: New York Yankees Make Franchise History During Rays Series
Brandon Valenzuela’s Rookie Season Thus Far
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 20: Brandon Valenzuela #59 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after scoring on a sacrifice fly hit by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 (not pictured) during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 20, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
After Alejandro Kirk went down with injury, rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela stepped in nicely for the Jays, and was able to aid with catching duties for about a month.
Since Kirk’s return, Valenzuela is still in the fold, but he’s getting much less playing time than a month ago, and is basically playing once every 3/4 games.
However, his rookie campaign has been very solid, and the Blue Jays may want to consider finding room for his services more often.
Across 56 games (158 at-bats), Valenzuela is batting .241 with seven home runs, six doubles, 20 RBI, and an OPS+ of 100. That’s a solid early sample size for a young catcher in the bigs.
More MLB on Heavy: Toronto Blue Jays Release 7-Year MLB Player During Mariners Series
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Jays Announce Brandon Valenzuela Lineup Decision Before Giants Series Finale appeared first on HEAVY.