​The Toronto Blue Jays are about to play their third game against the San Francisco Giants, marking the third and final encounter of this series before they head to face the San Diego Padres. As the schedule moves forward, there’s notable Blue Jays news involving recently released pitchers Matt Bowman and Jonatan Clase. The team is juggling multiple stories at once: a string of cut players, ongoing efforts to keep playoff hopes alive, and a broader aim of becoming World Series contenders. The Blue Jays face a steep climb, with the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees still ahead of them in the MLB standings.
Here’s the latest on Jonatan Clase, along with an update on Matt Bowman. Bowman was part of a recent round of Blue Jays releases that also included Josh Fleming and Justin Topa. After being let go, Fleming found a new home with the Chicago Cubs, and Topa signed with the Kansas City Royals. Bowman, however, has found a new opportunity of his own, signing a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins. He has also been assigned to the St. Paul Saints, the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate.
The 35-year-old veteran has logged 231 major-league appearances and 262 in the minors. In the big leagues, Bowman owns a 4.38 ERA with 194 strikeouts, two saves, and 45 holds across his 231 games. Whether this move benefits him long term remains to be seen, but it gives Bowman a fresh opportunity to continue pursuing his career at a high level.
On a brighter note for the Blue Jays, a moment of luck came Tuesday night in the form of a $40 stuffed dragon that helped push the team forward against the Giants. The hope is that the dragon’s magic carries over into Wednesday’s afternoon game as Toronto looks to close out the series with a win. Jonatan Clase, who had recently been called up to the majors, had been resting on the sidelines before the game but made a significant impact. In his second game of the season, Clase delivered two hits, including a three-run homer that gave the Blue Jays the early lead.
Over two games, Clase has had five at-bats and is hitting .400. He is in the lineup again as Toronto aims to seal the series and spark a winning streak. Clase will bat eighth, ahead of Andres Giménez, and will start in left field, the same position he played on Tuesday night. The full batting order for the series finale is as follows: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, Jonatan Clase in left field, Andres Giménez at shortstop, with Dylan Cease starting as pitcher. Wednesday’s afternoon tilt against the Giants is set to begin at 1:45 PM Mountain Time (3:45 PM Eastern Time) and can be viewed on Fubo, MLB.tv, and Sportsnet.
As the Blue Jays navigate a busy news cycle, the organization continues to shuffle its roster while looking for momentum in a season that remains challenging and uncertain. Between Bowman’s new signing with the Twins, Clase’s fresh opportunity and breakout performance, and the team’s ongoing fight to stay in the playoff conversation, Toronto’s path ahead is full of twists and turn as they prepare for the next big test.