Blue Jays announce MLB starting rotation to begin 2026 season

The Toronto Blue Jays, coming off a World Series appearance and a near win in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, are looking to win it all in 2026.

They've spent a lot this offseason, with the bulk of their spending coming in the starting rotation. Entering the 2026 MLB season, the Blue Jays have one of the best rotations in all of Major League Baseball.

According to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet, the Blue Jays' starting rotation to begin the regular season has been announced by manager John Schneider.

Blue Jays starting rotation announced by John Schneider

"John Schneider confirming Blue Jays rotation to start the season: Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Eric Lauer, Cody Ponce, Max Scherzer," Mae reports.

Unsurprisingly, Gausman is the Opening Day starter. But, after him comes a new-look rotation compared to last season. Dylan Cease was the big offseason addition, signing on a $210 million seven-year deal to come to Toronto.

He will be the number two starter to begin the season and will play a big role while a few key pitchers miss some time.

Eric Lauer is the third starter, with Cody Ponce, who signed for $30 million this offseason, will be the fourth starter. Max Scherzer, back for what might be the last year of his career, rounds out the initial rotation for Toronto.

More: Blue Jays sign Joe Mantiply to minor league contract

This starting rotation will look a bit different as the season goes along. Due to injuries to Jose Berrios, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Bowden Francis, the Blue Jays' rotation could look very different at times this season.

That's not all the Blue Jays will have at their disposal this season either. Rickey Tiedemann, Adam Macko, Spencer Miles, Lazaro Estrada, and Jake Bloss could also be factors in the MLB rotation at some point this season.

But, to begin the year, Gausman, Cease, Lauer, Ponce, and Scherzer make up the Blue Jays starting rotation. It's a great group, and one that should help get the Blue Jays off to a strong start despite missing a few key starters.

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