Alek Manoah’s return from Tommy John remains a work-in-progress rather than a clean comeback. In his first Triple-A rehab start, he lasted 1 2/3 innings, threw 27 pitches, and was lifted after giving up three runs on two hits with three walks and a hit-by-pitch. His velocity maxed at 92.1 mph, and a 55-foot slider in the first inning foreshadowed some mechanical hiccups. The inning-and-a-half window underscored the rehab’s non-linear path and the strict inning/pitch-count rules in place for pitchers coming back from major elbow surgery.

Bo Bichette's stellar performance, featuring two doubles and two RBIs, propelled the Toronto Blue Jays to an 8-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants, completing a sweep of the series. George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Addison Barger also showcased their power with home runs, while Alejandro Kirk added an RBI single. Starting pitcher Jose Berrios held the Giants to four runs across 5 2/3 innings, while Yariel Rodriguez secured the save with a scoreless ninth inning. The Giants' Robbie Ray struggled on the mound, yielding five runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Attendance peaked at 41,693, marking a sellout crowd. Bichette now ranks second in the American League with 27 doubles, trailing only Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. In a related development, Alek Manoah made his second rehab start for the Dunedin Blue Jays, showing signs of progress after Tommy John surgery. The Blue Jays are set to face the New York Yankees in a crucial three-game series, with Kevin Gausman slated to start for Toronto against Carlos Rodon of New York.

The Toronto Blue Jays are making a remarkable push at the midway point of the season, currently sitting atop the AL East with 55 wins. This turnaround follows a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw them miss the postseason. Key players, including George Springer and Bo Bichette, have bounced back, while unexpected contributors like Addison Barger and Ernie Clement have stepped up significantly. The Blue Jays aim for a top-two finish in the AL standings, striving to bypass the wild-card series, which has been unkind to them in recent years.

Despite injury setbacks impacting stars such as Anthony Santander and Alek Manoah, the team's depth has shone through, with critical performances from their backups. Toronto’s offense is one of the league's best, evidenced by a 39-21 record since May 8. Their upcoming schedule includes important series against division rivals, potentially paving the way for a successful postseason run, with a projected 83.4% chance of playoff qualification.

Japanese pitching sensation Rōki Sasaki is on the verge of making a significant decision as he narrows his choices to three Major League Baseball teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays. While both the Dodgers and Padres have been heavily involved in pursuing Sasaki, the Blue Jays are a surprising contender, having not engaged with him prior to the New Year.

With the opening of MLB's international signing period, Sasaki and his agent Joel Wolfe are expected to make a choice soon, although they may utilize the full posting window that closes on January 23. Financial considerations for Sasaki extend beyond contracts, as marketing opportunities in major markets are also crucial.

The Toronto Blue Jays have successfully avoided arbitration with their star slugger, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., securing a one-year contract worth $28.5 million. The announcement came on Thursday, alongside agreements for six other arbitration-eligible players, including notable names such as infielder Ernie Clement and catcher Alejandro Kirk.

Guerrero Jr., who played a pivotal role in the Blue Jays lineup, concluded a strong season with a batting average of .323, complemented by 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. This performance earned him a fourth All-Star selection and recognition as a Silver Slugger.