Addison Barger to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow on Monday, July 27, 2026, the team announced on Friday, July 24. The procedure will officially conclude a 2026 campaign for the 26-year-old that was limited to just nine games.

Barger injured the elbow on May 9 during a game against the Los Angeles Angels. The injury occurred when he made a powerful throw from right field, clocked at 101.2 miles per hour, to throw out a runner at home plate. Manager John Schneider said Barger had been managing elbow discomfort prior to that game, but the all-out throw exacerbated the issue. Barger has not played since.

The specific surgical procedure, to be performed by noted surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, will be determined on Monday. The options are a full Tommy John ligament reconstruction, which typically requires about nine months of rehabilitation for a position player, or an internal brace surgery, which has a recovery timeline of approximately six months. Either approach is expected to cost Barger some time at the start of the 2027 season.

Barger was a key contributor during the Blue Jays' run to the American League pennant and World Series in...