Toronto Blue Jays newly signed DH expected to crack Opening Day roster

Mar 12, 2026 (8:45)

Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Eloy Jimenez making a serious push for the opening day roster is the incredible comeback story we absolutely love.

The front office took a massive chance by offering the former silver slugger a minor league contract this winter.

It felt like a zero-risk lottery ticket for a guy desperately trying to save his professional baseball life.

Eloy Jimenez (Age 29, Signed as international free agent in 2013 by Chicago Cubs) is finally totally healthy again.

He looks completely reborn in the batter's box during these early exhibition games.

The physically imposing right-handed hitter is currently batting a fantastic .310 with a gorgeous .892 OPS down in Florida.

He also smashed one massive home run to remind everyone about his elite raw power.

Every single fan feels a massive rush of pure optimism seeing this former superstar rediscover his magical swing.

We all remember his spectacular rookie season when he launched 31 bombs for the White Sox.

Brutal leg injuries completely derailed his promising trajectory and robbed him of his natural athleticism over the past few years.

Watching him struggle through an agonizing season split between Chicago and Baltimore last summer was genuinely tough to witness.

But baseball is a beautiful game of second chances and pure redemption arcs.

Our hitting coaches clearly unlocked his vintage timing and aggressive approach at the plate.

Having a terrifying power threat sitting on the bench gives the manager a spectacular late-inning weapon.

He might start the season with the Buffalo Bisons if the major league roster logjam proves too incredibly tight.

But continuing to swing a red-hot bat makes him absolutely impossible for the management team to ignore.

Whenever an everyday outfielder needs rest or tweaks a hamstring, he will be the absolute first call they make.

We desperately need that extra thump from the right side to help carry the offense during long summer slumps.

Let the big man keep raking while the front office figures out the complex roster math.

Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider

POLL
MARS 12\|223 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays newly signed DH expected to crack Opening Day roster Will Eloy Jimenez hit over 15 home runs for the Blue Jays this season?
Yes	165	74 %
No	58	26 %
List of polls