If you’re waking up in the middle of January, checking your phone, and wondering did the Toronto Blue Jays play today, I have some news that might be a little bit of a letdown—but also kind of a relief if you value your sleep.
No. They didn't.
Right now, it is January 17, 2026. We are deep in the "hot stove" season, which, honestly, is usually more of a "lukewarm simmer" unless some massive trade breaks at 2:00 AM. In the world of Major League Baseball, January is for front-office meetings, arbitration hearings, and fans staring at grainy videos of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting off a tee in a tropical location.
The Rogers Centre is currently quiet. The turf is probably tucked away, and the only things moving in Dunedin, Florida, are the groundskeepers getting the grass ready for the arrival of the squad in a few weeks.
When do the Blue Jays actually start playing?
Look, I get the itch. After a long winter, you just want to hear the crack of the bat. But we still have a bit of a wait.
The Blue Jays won't be taking the field for a real game—even an exhibition one—for about another month. According to the official MLB schedule, pitchers and catchers are slated to report to the Player Development Complex in Dunedin on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. That’s the real start of the year. The first full-squad workout follows shortly after on February 16.
If you’re looking for the first actual box score, mark your calendar for Saturday, February 21, 2026. That is when the Jays kick off their Spring Training schedule against the Philadelphia Phillies. It won't count in the standings, and half the guys playing will be wearing jerseys with numbers like 94, but it’s baseball.
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Why the January 17th schedule is always empty
There's a reason you won't find a "Blue Jays play today" answer in the affirmative during the third week of January.
Historically, MLB has toyed with different calendar structures, but January remains the sacred month of the offseason. The Caribbean Series doesn't usually start until February. The World Baseball Classic—when it happens—is a springtime event. Basically, January is the only time these guys get to breathe.
Instead of playing, the Jays are busy in the "transaction" phase. For instance, just a few days ago on January 15, the international free agency period opened up. The Jays were busy signing young talent like Venezuelan catcher Juan Caricote. That’s the "game" being played today: the long-term scouting game.
The 2026 Regular Season: A weirdly early start
While they aren't playing today, the 2026 season is actually going to start earlier than almost any other season in history.
Major League Baseball has scheduled a standalone Opening Night for Wednesday, March 25, featuring the Giants and the Yankees. But for the Toronto faithful, the date you actually care about is Friday, March 27, 2026.
The Blue Jays will host their home opener at the Rogers Centre against the Athletics. It’s an evening game, and it’s going to be loud. Interestingly, they actually pushed the opener back by one day from the original draft of the schedule, likely to give the stadium operations crew that extra 24 hours to make sure everything is perfect for the 2026 debut.
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What is the roster looking like for 2026?
Since they aren't playing today, we might as well look at who will be playing come March. This offseason has been a bit of a roller coaster for Toronto fans.
The big news that’s been floating around the baseball world is the departure of Bo Bichette. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a lot of people in the city, but Bichette signed a massive three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets. Seeing him in blue and orange is going to feel very wrong for a while.
However, the front office hasn't been sitting on their hands. They made a splash by signing Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto to a $60 million deal to man third base. They also bolstered the rotation by bringing in names like Dylan Cease and Shane Bieber.
Here is what the projected starting nine looks like as of this morning:
- 1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (The undisputed face of the franchise)
- 2B: Andres Gimenez
- SS: Addison Barger (The kid has some big shoes to fill)
- 3B: Kazuma Okamoto
- LF: Anthony Santander
- CF: Daulton Varsho
- RF: George Springer
- C: Alejandro Kirk
- DH: Ernie Clement (or a rotating cast of characters)
The pitching staff is actually looking pretty scary on paper. You have Kevin Gausman and José Berríos at the top, but everyone is talking about Trey Yesavage. He’s the top prospect who many insiders believe will break camp with the big league club and stay there.
How to stay updated on the Jays during the winter
Since you can't watch a game today, how do you keep the fire burning?
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First, keep an eye on the waiver wire. The period between now and Spring Training is when a lot of small, "boring" moves happen that end up mattering in August. Think of guys like Ernie Clement—nobody was screaming from the rooftops when he was signed, yet he became an essential piece of the puzzle.
Second, follow the Dunedin reports. Once February 11 hits, we’ll start getting "best shape of his life" stories and videos of pitchers throwing bullpen sessions. It's the best kind of propaganda.
Third, check the ticket situation. With the 2026 schedule already out, single-game tickets for the April and May homestands are usually starting to circulate or go on sale for season ticket members around this time.
Actionable steps for Blue Jays fans right now
Since the answer to did the Toronto Blue Jays play today is a firm no, here is what you should actually do to prepare for the season:
- Check your passport: If you're planning on heading down to Dunedin for Spring Training in February, make sure your travel docs are ready. Those Florida games at TD Ballpark are small, intimate, and a blast.
- Sync your digital calendar: Go to the official Blue Jays website and download the 2026 schedule to your Google or Apple calendar. It’ll automatically update with game times and broadcast info so you never have to ask "did they play today" again.
- Audit your gear: January is actually a great time to find deals on last year's jerseys. If you don't mind wearing a slightly older style, you can save a ton of money before the "New Season" markup happens in March.
- Watch the prospects: If you're really bored, look up highlights of Trey Yesavage or JoJo Parker. These are the guys who will be defining the next era of Toronto baseball.
The wait is almost over. We’re about 35 days away from seeing players in uniform. Hang in there.