Toronto Blue Jays make announcement regarding Leo Jimenez and the WBC

Jan 18, 2026 (9:24 PM)

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Leo Jiménez just committed to Panama for the World Baseball Classic.

BlueJaysNation reported Sunday that Jimenez will represent Panama at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March.

It's a cool moment for a homegrown signee, and also a real storyline for a player fighting for oxygen.

Jiménez is 24, born in Chitré, and he's already lived the highs and lows of being the next in line.

His 2024 big-league line with Toronto was .229/.329/.358 with four homers and 19 RBIs in 63 games, which is at least a foundation.

Then 2025 arrived and the bat basically disappeared in the small sample, with a .069 average and a .301 OPS in 18 games.

That kind of stretch can get you buried on a deep team, even when the glove plays.

There's also the practical problem BlueJaysNation highlighted, Jiménez is out of options in 2026.

That means this spring is not just about «development,» it's about making the club or risking waivers.

As a Jays fan, I'm proud of the Panama moment, but I'm nervous about what it does to his already tight roster window.

The World Baseball Classic is slated to begin March 5, and the tournament always pulls players away right when spring battles get serious.

If Jiménez goes and performs, it can sharpen his confidence, but the timing also reduces his reps in Toronto's camp.

From the team side, I actually like the stress test.

If the Blue Jays believe Jiménez can help, they should be able to find him real innings early, not stash him as a last-resort utility option.

My take is this is a now-or-never year for him, and the WBC could be the best thing that happens to his bat.

If he comes back from Panama feeling like a real big leaguer again, the next milestone is simple, force Toronto to carry him out of camp.

Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider

POLL
JANVIER 18\|299 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays make announcement regarding Leo Jimenez and the WBC Does Leo Jiménez playing for Panama change how you see his 2026 role with the Toronto Blue Jays?
Helps him	121	40.5 %
Hurts him	16	5.4 %
No change	143	47.8 %
Depends camp	19	6.4 %
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