Brett Bateman Instantly Rewards Toronto Blue Jays Faith
· Yahoo Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays are still looking to make up that ever-elusive game in the MLB playoff standings despite a 7-3 win against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
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Despite earning the victory, the Blue Jays are still one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League wild card spot, which is a position Toronto has remained in for the last several days.
However, despite the fact Toronto wasn't able to make up ground in the playoff race, the team saw a recent roster decision reaffirmed by the performance of outfielder Brett Bateman.
The first-year major leaguer, who played center field for the Blue Jays on Saturday, went 1-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, a walk and an RBI. His solo shot was the second homer of his career and his second in as many days.
Brett Bateman goes deep AGAIN!
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 12, 2026
He’s hit his first two MLB HR’s in back-to-back games 💪 pic.twitter.com/wB9AnwmdYV
Bateman's second career home run came after Toronto made an interesting roster move that seemed to symbolize the organization's faith in the player.
As reported previously on Blue Jays Roundtable, the Jays designated outfielder Jesus Sanchez for assignment Friday, despite a solid offensive (albeit one mired with defensive woes).
Sanchez, just 28-years-old and under team control through the 2027 season, slashed .260/.318/.416 with a .734 OPS in 99 games for Toronto and hit 18 doubles and eight home runs with 35 RBIs. The Blue Jays originally acquired Sanchez in a trade with the Houston Astros on July 31, 2025.
Bateman was originally picked in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Minnesota. He was acquired by Toronto in a trade that sent right-handed starting pitcher Kevin Gausman to the Cubs. The Blue Jays also netted shortstop Ty Southisene in the deal.
Since receiving his major league call-up Aug. 7, Bateman has slashed .336/.401/.433 with an .834 OPS in 30 games and has hit five doubles, a triple and two homers with 10 RBIs and has stolen three bases in as many attempts.
Sanchez being DFA'd and Bateman receiving his major league call up in August indicates that the franchise is comfortable with the latter as a permanent part of the roster going forward. And so far, he's rewarded that faith.
Bateman will have a chance to reward that faith even further by helping lead the Blue Jays to a series win against the Orioles in the third of the three-game set at 1:37 p.m. ET on Sunday at Camden Yards in Baltimore.