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Toronto Blue Jays unveil unexpected 6-man rotation plan


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Michael Rainone
August 12, 2025  (1:59 PM)
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The Blue Jays speak on 6th man rotation possibilities #ShaneBieber #BlueJays #Pitcher #Rotation #Starter #Postseason
Photo credit: Jays Journal

The Toronto Blue Jays will have some good problems to deal with as starting pitcher Shane Bieber will make his debut with the big club any day now. The question remains who gets left out of the starting rotation as we near the postseason?

Bieber has been slowly making his way back from Tommy John surgery and his first two outings with the Buffalo Bisons have gone incredibly well as he looks to likely make one more start before returning to the MLB.

Who gets left out of Jays starting rotation?

Ian Finlayson of Blue Jays Nation reports that after one more start in triple-A Bieber is expected to make his debut with the AL East leaders. However and overstaffing problem in the bullpen is inevitable when he does return
"Eric Lauer would have been the obvious option to replace in the rotation if he hadn't rebounded from a turbulent 2024 that found him pitching in the KBO, posting a 2.82 ERA this season, the best of any Blue Jays starter. Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer is both the most established veteran in the Blue Jays' clubhouse and has turned it on as of late with a 2.84 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 19 innings in his last three starts.-Finlayson

However due to overuse of some of the Blue Jays starters a 6 man rotation is not out of the question.
"Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios have been pillars of the rotation for years. Yet, all three have also been among the most taxed starters in baseball, each ranking in the top 10 in innings pitched since the start of 2021.
This is why an option that provides additional rest to the Blue Jays' most fatigued arms - either a 15-day injured list rest stint or a six-man rotation - may be ideal."-Finlayson

Manager John Schneider is still unsure on the best move forward stating they may try out a six man rotation for two weeks but nothing is finalized.
Another avenue to explore would be to put a starter on a 15-day injured stint for rest. Jose Berrios for example saw a sharp decline is his velocity as the season has carried on.
Regardless of what the Jays decide to do, these are good problems to have. Not only do you have a reliable six man rotation you have an insurance policy if anyone goes down with an injury. And if anyone requires immediate rest you go with what you have been doing all season long with a five man rotation.
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out as we inch closer and closer to the postseason.
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Toronto Blue Jays unveil unexpected 6-man rotation plan

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