Overview
- The Blue Jays acquired 24-year-old outfielder Brett Bateman from the Chicago Cubs in the Kevin Gausman trade, with prospect Ty Southisene part of the package.
- After two games at Triple-A Buffalo he was promoted to the majors and recorded his first big-league hit, a double off Zack Wheeler.
- In his first five major-league appearances he has produced a .273 average and delivered a two-hit, two-RBI performance in a 5-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.
- Manager John Schneider has publicly praised Bateman’s plate discipline, contact skills and temperament, and teammates have echoed that confidence as the club plans to give him an extended opportunity.
- Toronto, still chasing a wild-card berth, will use Bateman’s offense and defense to fill the center-field vacancy created by deadline moves and will evaluate whether he can hold the role through the end of the regular season.