Joey

Loperfido

Loperfido has struggled since he failed to make the Jays out of spring training, batting .211/.313/.351 through 19 games with Buffalo. Maybe last night’s contest was the start of a turnaround, though. Along with taking a walk, he produced hard-hit balls in four plate appearances, with three checking in at over 102 mph.

Loperfido has started the season going 4-for-10 with a home run, three RBI, two walks, and four strikeouts in his first three games at Triple-A. The Blue Jays kept Myles Straw on the active roster because of his center field defense with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) on the IL, and Alan Roden earned the starting role in spring training, so it may take another injury before Loperfido gets a shot at a big league role in Toronto.

Loperfido had a chance to compete for a spot on the Toronot’s Opening Day roster, but he struggled badly in Grapefruit League action, hitting just .207 (6-for-29) with zero homers and two RBI. He’ll continue to hone his craft at the Triple-A level until another opportunity arises.

Loperfido sat out a handful of spring training exhibitions after suffering a neck injury earlier this week when he crashed into the center-field wall. The 25-year-old came over from the Astros at the trade deadline last year and figures to open the regular season back at Triple-A Buffalo.

Loperfido hurt his head/neck area when he crashed into the wall Tuesday during a Grapefruit League game, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury. He’s scheduled to work out with the team Thursday, and then could be back in the lineup as soon as Friday.

Loperfido crashed into the centerfield fence in the first inning trying to chase down a fly ball. He seemed to lose his balance, and his head/neck area slammed into the wall. He was able to walk off the field with the trainers, and the Blue Jays are just calling the injury “discomfort” for now, but it’s a situation to monitor.

Earlier this off-season, the Blue Jays said “it could be unrealistic” to expect Varsho to be ready for opening day, and that remains true given the news that he’s just now throwing from 90 feet. Schneider mentioned Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Jonata Clase, and George Springer as players who can all handle centerfield duties while Varsho is out.

The Blue Jays were also heavily involved in the bidding for Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Teoscar Hernandez, but each player decided to sign elsewhere, some for less money. The Blue Jays are desperate to add talent around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in an effort to keep him in Toronto beyond this season, and Santander would certainly be a solid bat to add to the mix. The 30-year-old is coming off a career-best year in which he hit 44 home runs and drove in 102 runs for the Orioles. If he were to sign in Toronto, he would immediately slot in as the clean-up hitter behind Vlad Jr. and bump either Will Wagner or Joey Loperfido from the regular lineup, depending on whether or not Toronto chooses to play Santander in the field.

It’s likely a typical rest day for the veteran. Joey Loperfido will move to center field and Davis Schneider will make yet another start in left field. Schneider has been hot of late and can be scooped up in leagues if people are trying to capture lightning in a bottle over the final days of the season.

Loperfido left Saturday’s game with adductor soreness, so it’s not a surprise to see the 25-year-old out of action a day later. With Daulton Varsho also out, Nathan Lukes is starting in center and hitting leadoff against St. Louis