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The Toronto Blue Jays are struggling with a losing record early in the season after reaching the World Series last year. Fans are disappointed, but adjustments may be needed due to offseason changes.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 1: Kazuma Okamoto #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the dugout ahead of their MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Rogers Centre on April 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays have disappointed some fans by posting a losing record to start the season, just after reaching Game 7 of the World Series.
But perhaps an adjustment period can be expected for a team that underwent so many offseason changes.
The Blue Jays overhauled their pitching staff by bringing in Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers, made some outfield depth changes and shuffled the infield. Long-time franchise shortstop Bo Bichette left for the New York Mets and the team moved Andres Gimenez into his old position while signing six-time Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Kazuma Okamoto as well.
Though Okamoto has offered some highlights early in his transition to Major League Baseball, he has also endured some struggles in the first season of his four-year, $60 million contract.
âThrough the early weeks of the season, weâve seen it all from Okamoto, good and bad,â Keegan Matheson . âHe had some incredible moments during the opening homestand, which made it clear just how crucial he can be to this lineup when itâs all working. Since then, weâve seen some of the struggles that can come on the other side of these adjustments.â
Kazuma Okamoto is a shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Fans are disappointed because the Blue Jays have a losing record after previously reaching Game 7 of the World Series.
The Blue Jays underwent several offseason changes, which may be contributing to their current struggles.

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Okamoto is slashing just .213/.294/.328 this season as he works to get more consistent against big-league pitchers. But his struggles are also noticeable in the field, where some metrics show he is performing below average at third base as he adjusts to harder-hit balls and a language barrier with Bichetteâs replacement at shortstop.
âOkamoto is adjusting to playing deeper at third base and communicating with teammates who donât speak the same first language,â Mitch Bannon wrote for The Athletic. âIn Tuesdayâs win over the Brewers, Okamoto ranged to his left and deflected a ball that shortstop AndrĂ©s GimĂ©nez appeared prepared to catch. The third baseman seemed to apologize to the shortstop after the game.â
When asked about playing alongside Okamoto in his first MLB season, Gimenez offered a four-word response about struggles like the one noticed on Tuesday.
âWeâre working on it,â Gimenez said, per Bannon. âWeâre trying to find the right communication.â
As Gimenez, other teammates and Blue Jays staffers all work to communicate with their new Japanese teammate, and Okamoto adjusts to life in Canada and the U.S., things are likely to get smoother. Thatâs good news for Blue Jays fans, who are hoping to see the teamâs losing ways turn around before too much longer.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com