Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Sun 2/23/25 12:56 PM

Loperfido went 1-for-2 with a double in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
EDGE Analysis
More importantly, the 25-year-old got the start in center field, a spot the Blue Jays will likely need to fill for the first week or two of the season while Daulton Varsho completes his recovery from shoulder surgery. Loperfido, acquired from the Astros last year in the Yusei Kikuchi trade, slashed just .197/.236/.343 over 144 plate appearances for Toronto in 2024, but his defensive versatility in the outfield and 20-20 upside if he puts everything together appear to make him the early favorite to be Varsho's understudy. Jonatan Clase, Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw also figure to get looks in center field during spring training.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Fri 9/27/24 3:21 PM

Loperfido is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
Loperfido is idle for the third time in seven games, giving way to Jonatan Clase in center field Friday. While Loperfido's playing time in center field has been slipping, he's gotten a couple of looks in left field over the last four games.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Mon 9/23/24 3:15 PM

Loperfido is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.
EDGE Analysis
Loperfido had picked up starts in each of the Blue Jays' previous three matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll hit the bench Monday while the Red Sox send righty Tanner Houck to the mound. The newly recalled Jonatan Clase will pick up a start in center field at the expense of Loperfido, who could fade into more of a part-time role in the final week of the regular season while he's in the midst of an extended dry spell at the dish. Since stringing together four consecutive two-hit games from Aug. 20 through 24, Loperfido has slashed .164/.203/.246 with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Wed 9/18/24 5:44 PM

Loperfido (hip) is starting in center field and batting eighth Wednesday against the Rangers.
EDGE Analysis
The 25-year-old suffered an adductor injury during Saturday's matchup with the Cardinals and is rejoining the lineup Wednesday after a couple days off. Loperfido should continue seeing regular action in Toronto's outfield down the stretch, and he'll likely see more starts in center field since Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will miss the rest of the season.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Sun 9/15/24 12:04 PM

Loperfido (hip) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 25-year-old departed Saturday's contest due to left adductor discomfort and will be held out of the starting nine for at least one game. Loperfido will have Monday's team off day to aid in his recovery ahead of Tuesday's series opener at Texas.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Sat 9/14/24 5:45 PM

Loperfido was removed from Saturday's game against St. Louis with left adductor discomfort, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.
EDGE Analysis
Loperfido appeared to be grabbing at his hip after hitting a double in the third inning of Saturday's contest, though he managed to stay in the game until the fifth frame. If his injury proves to be severe enough to prevent him from playing Sunday, Nathan Lukes would likely be the next man in line to start in left field.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Mon 9/9/24 3:20 PM

Loperfido is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
Loperfido will hit the bench after he started the final two games of the Blue Jays' weekend series with Atlanta, going 3-for-7 with a double and a walk between those contests. Since joining the Blue Jays at the trade deadline, Loperfido has put together a .222/.260/.394 slash line with a 32.7 percent strikeout rate over 29 games. Loperfido's lack of productivity has prevented him from fully taking control of an everyday spot in the Toronto outfield.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Wed 9/4/24 12:01 PM

Loperfido is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
Loperfido was on the bench for consecutive games over the weekend against the Twins, but he had started in both of the previous two contests while going 1-for-8 with four strikeouts. Since being acquired from the Astros in late July, Loperfido is slashing just .198/.232/.363 with a 34.7 percent strikeout rate, and his ongoing struggles appear to have started to cost him playing time. Davis Schneider will replace Loperfido in left field Wednesday.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Sat 8/31/24 4:47 PM

Loperfido isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Saturday against the Twins.
EDGE Analysis
Loperfido will sit for the second game in a row Saturday as Nathan Lukes picks up another start in left field while batting eighth.

Joey Loperfido
OF TOR
Fri 8/30/24 5:31 PM

Loperfido isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Friday against the Twins.
EDGE Analysis
Loperfido will take a day to regroup Friday after going 1-for-15 with five strikeouts during Toronto's previous series against the Red Sox. In his place, Nathan Lukes will make his first start of the year in left field and bat eighth. Per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca, Loperfido is getting the night off to rest after colliding with the wall during Thursday's game against Boston.