Kevin Gausman to Lead Blue Jays on Opening Day

The Toronto Blue Jays have announced that right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman will be their starting pitcher for the 2026 season opener on March 27th. This marks Gausman’s first Opening Day start for the Blue Jays, and his third overall. He previously started on Opening Day in 2017 with the Baltimore Orioles and in 2021 with the San Francisco Giants.

Gausman’s Career Highlights

Kevin Gausman, born January 6, 1991, in Centennial, Colorado, has established himself as a prominent pitcher in Major League Baseball. He currently plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, having previously pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants.

Throughout his career, Gausman has achieved significant milestones, including being selected as a two-time All-Star (2021, 2023) and earning two All-MLB Second Team selections (2021, 2023). He led the American League in strikeouts in 2023. As of the end of the 2025 season, Gausman has a career record of 112-113 with a 3.81 ERA and 1,954 strikeouts across 1,911.0 innings pitched.

Other Notable News

Beyond the announcement of Gausman as the Opening Day starter, several other stories are developing within the baseball world.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Return

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is expected to return to the Blue Jays energized after participating in the World Baseball Classic.

Albert Pujols’ Managerial Aspirations

Former MLB star Albert Pujols is garnering attention for his performance as a manager with Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Dusty Baker has publicly stated that Pujols should be managing in MLB “right now.”

James Paxton’s Future

James Paxton’s strong performance in the World Baseball Classic has sparked interest from major league teams, though Paxton has indicated he may not return from retirement after the tournament concludes.

Olympic Stadium Roof Repairs

Progress continues on the repairs to the roof of the Olympic Stadium, with 50% of the operate now complete, including the full replacement of the technical ring.