Manager John Schneider told reporters on Monday that Barger is trending in the right direction, but the team hasn’t ruled out a stint on the injured list.
Barger, 26, was removed from Sunday’s game against the Chicago White Sox with bilateral ankle discomfort.
He was not included in the Blue Jays’ starting lineup in the series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers (7 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).
Myles Straw will take Barger’s place in right field and hit seventh in the lineup.
Barger appeared to tweak something in the top of the third, when he grounded out to shortstop to end the inning. As he tried to beat out the infield single, Barger lunged for the base and looked uncomfortable immediately after.
Barger’s average has dropped to .053 amid a slow start to the season after having a breakout season in 2025, hitting 21 homers with a .756 OPS in 135 games.
The Blue Jays acquired infielder Tyler Fitzgerald from the San Francisco GiantsĀ in exchange for cash considerations over the weekend. The 28-year-old is on the taxi squad with a locker set up in the clubhouse and Schneider said that his status will be determined by whether Barger will need an IL stint.
