Blue Jays Keep Jesús Sánchez in Lineup After Two Costly Misplays at Tropicana Field
The errors expose measurable defensive weaknesses even as Toronto relies on Sánchez’s bat during a strained push for the postseason.
Overview
- Sánchez misplayed two fly balls at Tropicana Field on Wednesday that helped extend a Tampa Bay rally and factored into Toronto’s 7-6 loss.
- Manager John Schneider publicly defended Sánchez, saying “He works,” while teammate Max Scherzer reacted angrily after the fourth-inning sequence.
- Sánchez acknowledged the mistakes and pointed to visibility under Tropicana Field’s white roof and his adjustment to playing left field as causes.
- Defensive data and history underscore the problem: Sánchez has limited left-field experience and posted negative Outs Above Average totals this season.
- Toronto has continued to play Sánchez because his offensive value matters and roster injuries limit alternatives, a choice that now draws sharper scrutiny and could affect how the club handles its outfield minutes.