The 2023 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 47th season in Major League Baseball, and 32nd full season (34th overall) at Rogers Centre. They started the season on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 30, and finished the season at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 1. The Toronto Blue Jays drew an average home attendance of 37,307 in 81 home games in the 2023 MLB season.
The schedule was revised de-emphasizing divisional play by shifting over twenty games to interleague play. Toronto played each divisional opponent in four series, two home and two away, down from six. Those eight series were added to the interleague schedule where the Blue Jays played each National League team once except for the Philadelphia Phillies, which they played both home and away.
With their victory over the Colorado Rockies on September 1, the Blue Jays became the first team in MLB history to beat every opposing team at least once in a single season.
The Blue Jays clinched a playoff spot in the 2023 postseason on September 30, when the visiting Texas Rangers defeated the Seattle Mariners. The Blue Jays returned to the postseason for the second consecutive season and the third in four years, missing the 2021 postseason by one game. They lost in two games in the American League Wild Card Series to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Previous season The 2022 Blue Jays finished 2nd in the AL East, to the New York Yankees, with a record of 92–70 (.556). They qualified for the postseason, but lost in two games in the Wild Card Series to the Seattle Mariners.
Offseason
Departing free agents On November 6, 2022: RHP David Phelps & RHP Ross Stripling elected free agency On November 7, 2022: OF Jackie Bradley Jr. elected free agency On November 10, 2022: LHP Trey Cumbie, RHP José De León, RHP Jake Elliott, C Ryan Gold, RHP Casey Lawrence, RHP Brady Lail, RHP Elvis Luciano, INF Eric Stamets, OF Yoshi Tsutsugo & RHP Eric Yardley elected free agency On November 15, 2022: LHP Foster Griffin was released On November 18, 2022: INF Vinny Capra, OF Raimel Tapia & OF Bradley Zimmer elected free agency On February 6, 2023: LHP Matt Gage was released
Trades On November 16, 2022: Acquired RHP Erik Swanson and LHP prospect Adam Macko from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for OF Teoscar Hernández On December 23, 2022: Acquired OF Daulton Varsho from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and C Gabriel Moreno On January 10, 2023: Acquired RHP Zach Thompson from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for OF Chavez Young
Waiver transactions On November 9, 2022: LHP Tayler Saucedo claimed off waivers by the New York Mets On December 23, 2022: RHP Anthony Kay claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs On January 5, 2023: RHP Junior Fernández claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees On January 17, 2023: RHP Julian Merryweather claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs On February 13, 2023: LHP Matt Gage claimed off release waivers by the Houston Astros
Free agent signings On November 19, 2022: Signed INF Vinny Capra to a minor league contract On December 15, 2022: Signed OF Kevin Kiermaier to a one-year, $9 million deal On December 16, 2022: Signed RHP Chris Bassitt to a three-year, $63 million deal On December 30, 2022: Signed RHP Casey Lawrence to a minor league contract On January 6, 2023: Signed C Rob Brantly, RHP Julian Fernández, LHP Paul Fry & RHP Drew Hutchison to minor league contracts. On January 10, 2023: Signed INF Brandon Belt to a one-year, $9.3 million deal Signed RHP Nathan Witt to a minor league contract. On January 15, 2023: Signed RHP Samuel Acuna, LHP Andersson Barvosa, OF Emmanuel Bonilla, RHP Samuel Colmenares, C Ivan Gomez, LHP Eduar Gonzalez, OF David Guzman, INF Adrian Meza, INF Jarold Montealto, RHP Sann Omasako, OF Daniel Perez & C Juan Rosas as international free agents, to minor league contracts. On January 20, 2023: Signed OF Wynton Bernard to a minor league contract. On January 23, 2023: Signed OF Cawrin Salcedo to a minor league contract. On January 30, 2023: Signed RHP Chad Green to a two-year, $8.5 million deal. On January 31, 2023: Signed C Jamie Ritchie to a minor league contract. On February 11, 2023: Signed RHP Luke Bard to a minor league contract.
Coaching changes On November 30, 2022: Don Mattingly joined the Toronto Blue Jays as Bench Coach. On January 15, 2023: Bullpen Coach Matt Buschmann resigns from the Toronto Blue Jays. On January 31, 2023: David Howell and Jeff Ware joined the Toronto Blue Jays as Pitching Strategist and Bullpen Coach respectively.
Standings American League East
American League Wild Card
Records vs opponents Record Games Left Opponent Home Road Total Home Road Total AL East Baltimore Orioles 1–6 2–4 3–10 – – – Boston Red Sox 3–3 3–4 6–7 – – – New York Yankees 2–5 4–2 6–7 – – – Tampa Bay Rays 3–3 3–4 6–7 – – – Totals 9–17 12–14 21–31 – – – AL Central Chicago White Sox 3–0 3–0 6–0 – – – Cleveland Guardians 1–2 2–2 3–4 – – – Detroit Tigers 2–1 2–1 4–2 – – – Kansas City Royals 3–0 3–1 6–1 – – – Minnesota Twins 1–2 2–1 3–3 – – – Totals 10–5 12–5 22–10 – – – AL West Houston Astros 3–1 1–2 4–3 – – – Los Angeles Angels 2–1 2–1 4–2 – – – Oakland Athletics 2–1 2–1 4–2 – – – Seattle Mariners 2–1 1–2 3–3 – – – Texas Rangers 0–4 1–2 1–6 – – – Totals 9–8 7–8 16–16 – – – National League Arizona Diamondbacks 3–0 – 3–0 – – – Atlanta Braves 3–0 – 3–0 – – – Chicago Cubs 1–2 – 1–2 – – – Cincinnati Reds – 2–1 2–1 – – – Colorado Rockies – 2–1 2–1 – – – Los Angeles Dodgers – 2–1 2–1 – – – Miami Marlins – 2–1 2–1 – – – Milwaukee Brewers 2–1 – 2–1 – – – New York Mets – 3–0 3–0 – – – Philadelphia Phillies 1–1 0–2 1–3 – – – Pittsburgh Pirates – 3–0 3–0 – – – San Diego Padres 1–2 – 1–2 – – – San Francisco Giants 2–1 – 2–1 – – – St. Louis Cardinals – 1–2 1–2 – – – Washington Nationals 2–1 – 2–1 – – – Totals 15–8 15–8 30–16 – – – Grand Totals 43–38 46–35 89–73 – – – Month Games Won Lost Pct. March 1 1 0 April 27 17 10 May 28 11 17 June 27 16 11 July 24 14 10 August 27 14 13 September 27 16 11 October 1 0 1 Totals 162 89 73
2023 draft The 2023 Major League Baseball draft began on July 9 and concluded on July 11. The Blue Jays forfeited their second round selection by signing Chris Bassitt in the offseason.
Round Pick Player Position College/School Nationality Signed 1 20 Arjun Nimmala SS Strawberry Crest High School (FL) July 17 3 89 Juaron Watts-Brown RHP Oklahoma State July 21 4 121 Landen Maroudis RHP Calvary Christian Academy (FL) July 17 5 157 Connor O'Halloran LHP Michigan July 18 6 184 Jace Bohrofen OF Arkansas July 18 7 214 Nick Goodwin SS Kansas State July 17 8 244 Braden Barry OF West Virginia July 18 9 274 Sam Shaw OF Lambrick Park Secondary School (BC) July 16 10 304 Josh Mollerus RHP Oregon July 19
Regular season Opening Day +Opening Day startersPosition Name Catcher Alejandro Kirk First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Second baseman Whit Merrifield Shortstop Bo Bichette Third baseman Matt Chapman Left fielder Daulton Varsho Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier Right fielder George Springer Designated hitter Brandon Belt Pitcher Alek Manoah
Game log Legend Blue Jays win Blue Jays loss Game postponed Clinched playoff spot
|- style="background:#bfb;" | 1 || March 30 || @ Cardinals || 10–9 || García (1–0) || Helsley (0–1) || Romano (1) || 47,649 || 1–0 || —
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2 || April 1 || @ Cardinals || 1–4 || Flaherty (1–0) || Gausman (0–1) || Helsley (1) || 44,461 || 1–1 || 1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 3 || April 2 || @ Cardinals || 4–9 || Montgomery (1–0) || Bassitt (0–1) || — || 45,525 || 1–2 || 2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 4 || April 3 || @ Royals || 5–9 || Singer (1–0) || Berríos (0–1) || — || 10,810 || 1–3 || 3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 5 || April 4 || @ Royals || 4–1 || Kikuchi (1–0) || Bubic (0–1) || Romano (2) || 12,123 || 2–3 || 3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 6 || April 5 || @ Royals || 3–0 || Manoah (1–0) || Greinke (0–2) || Romano (3) || 10,015 || 3–3 || 3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 7 || April 6 || @ Royals || 6–3 || Gausman (1–1) || Lyles (0–2) || Cimber (1) || 10,401 || 4–3 || 2½ |- style="background:#bfb;" | 8 || April 7 || @ Angels || 4–3 || Bassitt (1–1) || Herget (0–1) || Romano (4) || 44,735 || 5–3 || 2½ |- style="background:#fbb;" | 9 || April 8 || @ Angels || 5–9 || Barría (1–0) || Berríos (0–2) || — || 44,534 || 5–4 || 3½ |- style="background:#bfb;" | 10 || April 9 || @ Angels || 12–11 || Romano (1–0) || Estévez (0–1) || Mayza (1) || 31,092 || 6–4 || 3½ |- style="background:#bfb;" | 11 || April 11 || Tigers || 9–3 || Pop (1–0) || Manning (1–1) || — || 42,053 || 7–4 || 4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 12 || April 12 || Tigers || 4–3 || Romano (2–0) || Shreve (0–1) || — || 35,300 || 8–4 || 4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 13 || April 13 || Tigers || 1–3 || Turnbull (1–2) || Bassitt (1–2) || Lange (1) || 26,192 || 8–5 || 5 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 14 || April 14 || Rays || 6–3 || Berríos (1–2) || Rasmussen (2–1) || Romano (5) || 34,822 || 9–5 || 4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 15 || April 15 || Rays || 5–2 || Kikuchi (2–0) || Kelley (0–1) || Romano (6) || 41,679 || 10–5 || 3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 16 || April 16 || Rays || 1–8 || McClanahan (4–0) || Manoah (1–1) || — || 39,179 || 10–6 || 4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 17 || April 17 || @ Astros || 2–9 || Javier (2–0) || Gausman (1–2) || — || 30,873 || 10–7 || 4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 18 || April 18 || @ Astros || 4–2 || Bassitt (2–2) || Urquidy (1–1) || Romano (7) || 32,602 || 11–7 || 4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 19 || April 19 || @ Astros || 1–8 || García (1–2) || Berríos (1–3) || — || 40,545 || 11–8 || 5 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 20 || April 21 || @ Yankees || 6–1 || Kikuchi (3–0) || Germán (1–2) || — || 39,025 || 12–8 || 5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 21 || April 22 || @ Yankees || 2–3 || Cordero (1–0) || Romano (2–1) || — || 43,223 || 12–9 || 6 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 22 || April 23 || @ Yankees || 5–1 || Gausman (2–2) || Schmidt (0–2) || — || 39,293 || 13–9 || 6 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 23 || April 24 || White Sox || 5–2 || Bassitt (3–2) || Lynn (0–3) || Romano (8) || 26,293 || 14–9 || 6 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 24 || April 25 || White Sox || 7–0 || Berríos (2–3) || Clevinger (2–2) || — || 28,917 || 15–9 || 5 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 25 || April 26 || White Sox || 8–0 || Kikuchi (4–0) || Kopech (0–3) || — || 35,069 || 16–9 || 4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 26 || April 28 || Mariners || 3–2 || Mayza (1–0) || Gott (0–1) || Romano (9) || 41,414 || 17–9 || 4½ |- style="background:#bfb;" | 27 || April 29 || Mariners || 1–0 || Swanson (1–0) || Gott (0–2) || — || 41,475 || 18–9 || 4½ |- style="background:#fbb;" | 28 || April 30 || Mariners || 8–10 || Sewald (2–0) || Pop (1–1) || Brash (1) || 40,158 || 18–10 || 4½
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 29 || May 1 || @ Red Sox || 5–6 || Winckowski (2–0) || Romano (2–2) || — || 27,438 || 18–11 || 5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 30 || May 2 || @ Red Sox || 6–7 || Bleier (1–0) || Swanson (1–1) || Winckowski (1) || 27,721 || 18–12 || 6 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 31 || May 3 || @ Red Sox || 3–8 || Pivetta (2–2) || Manoah (1–2) || — || 27,963 || 18–13 || 7 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 32 || May 4 || @ Red Sox || 5–11 || Bello (1–1) || Gausman (2–3) || — || 30,173 || 18–14 || 8 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 33 || May 5 || @ Pirates || 4–0 || Bassitt (4–2) || Hill (3–3) || — || 24,810 || 19–14 || 8 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 34 || May 6 || @ Pirates || 8–2 || Berríos (3–3) || Oviedo (2–3) || — || 34,882 || 20–14 || 7 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 35 || May 7 || @ Pirates || 10–1 || Kikuchi (5–0) || Contreras (3–3) || — || 21,655 || 21–14 || 7 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 36 || May 9 || @ Phillies || 4–8 || Nola (3–2) || Manoah (1–3) || — || 44,544 || 21–15 || 7½ |- style="background:#fbb;"