Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger faces a setback in his return, as the team will shut him down for several weeks due to a stress reaction in his back. The injury occurred while Barger was hitting at the team's Florida spring training facility, forcing him to undergo an MRI in Toronto that revealed the bone injury causing swelling and irritation.

Barger has battled multiple injuries throughout an already disappointing season, playing just nine games and batting .045 with no homers and two RBIs. He initially went on the injured list May 10 with a sore elbow, then missed 29 games earlier this year with a sprained left ankle. Before the ankle injury, he had one hit in eight games during March and April, making this latest setback particularly frustrating.

Despite the rocky 2026 start, Barger showed promise last season with 21 homers and 74 RBIs in 135 games, helping Toronto reach the World Series. His impact was memorable, including the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history during Game 1 against the Dodgers. That 101.2 mph throw for an outfield assist against the Angels earlier this month remained the fastest by a Blue Jays player since 2015.

The Blue Jays face another extended absence for their talented outfielder, whose combination of power and arm strength had become a cornerstone of their 2025 playoff run. This latest injury further complicates Toronto's offensive depth heading into the second half.