With injuries mounting and a slow start, Toronto may look to deal their ace pitcher by the trade deadline
Category: Sports
As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to face the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:40 p.m. ET on April 16, 2026, the field at American Family Field, where the Blue Jays are hoping to turn around a rocky start to their season. The team has struggled, currently sitting at 7-10 and fourth in the AL East, and is dealing with a slew of injuries that have hampered their performance.
William Contreras, a standout for the Brewers, enters the game riding a 10-game hitting streak, adding to the excitement of the matchup. Contreras has been a key player for Milwaukee, boasting a .288/.391/.458 slash line with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 69 plate appearances this season. Meanwhile, the Brewers themselves are slightly ahead in the standings at 9-8, placing them fourth in the NL Central.
Starting for the Brewers is Brandon Sproat, who carries a record of 0-1 and a 10.45 ERA. The Blue Jays counter with Patrick Corbin, who has yet to record a win, sitting at 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA. The pitching matchup is expected to be a focal point as both teams look to gain momentum.
The game is not just about the teams on the field; it also serves as a backdrop for potential trade discussions surrounding the Blue Jays. Following their appearance in the World Series last season, where they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a dramatic Game 7, the Blue Jays have not started the 2026 season as they had hoped. With injuries mounting, including key players like George Springer and Alejandro Kirk on the 10-day injured list, the team could be forced to reconsider its strategy as the trade deadline approaches.
MLB analyst Joel Reuter recently proposed a trade idea that would see the Blue Jays part with ace pitcher Kevin Gausman, who is in the final year of his five-year, $110 million contract. Gausman, who is 35 years old, has been performing at a high level this season, posting a 2.42 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and leading the American League with 31 strikeouts in just 22.1 innings pitched across four starts. If the Blue Jays continue to struggle, dealing Gausman could provide them with much-needed prospects.
In return for Gausman, the proposed deal would send left-handed pitcher Wei-En Lin and outfielder Darwing Ozuna to Toronto from the Oakland Athletics. Lin, a 20-year-old Double-A pitcher, is considered the Athletics' fourth-ranked prospect and has the potential to be a top 100 prospect in the league. Ozuna, at just 18 years old, was signed as an International Free Agent in 2025 and is noted for his impressive raw power.
Gausman has expressed uncertainty about his future, hinting at the possibility of retirement after this season to spend more time with his family. "I think it’s definitely a possibility," Gausman said when asked if 2026 could be his last season. "I have really loved my time here. Do I know what’s ahead of me? I don’t really know. No idea. It’s something that I have definitely thought about in the offseason." For now, Gausman remains focused on helping the Blue Jays regain their footing.
As the game against the Brewers approaches, fans are also ahead to watching standout players like Milwaukee’s Brice Turang, who has hit three home runs this season, along with 11 RBIs and 16 runs scored. Turang has been a consistent performer, boasting a .304 batting average and an impressive on-base percentage of .435.
The Blue Jays' lineup also features stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is hitting .328 with a .446 on-base percentage and has driven in seven runs this season. Daulton Varsho has also contributed, posting a .267 batting average with three home runs and seven RBIs.
With multiple players from both teams currently on the injured list, including Christian Yelich and Andrew Vaughn for the Brewers, the game could provide a chance for other players to step up and make a name for themselves. The Brewers have several players on the injured list, including Yelich, who is on the 10-day IL with a groin injury, and several others facing longer recovery times.
As the day of the game arrives, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, not just for the matchup but for the implications it may have on the rest of the season for both teams. For the Blue Jays, a victory could provide a much-needed boost, helping them shake off the slow start and regain confidence. Meanwhile, the Brewers will look to capitalize on their current form and continue their climb in the standings.
Fans eager to catch the action can tune in via Fubo for streaming or watch on Brewers.TV and SNET. Tickets are still available for those wishing to experience the excitement live at the stadium.
The stakes are high as the Blue Jays face the Brewers, and the outcome could significantly influence their strategies moving forward, especially as the trade deadline hangs on the horizon. Whether they can turn their season around or will need to make tough decisions , but for now, all focus is on the game at hand.