Blue Jays Spring Training: First Look at Kazuma Okamoto

Published: February 19, 2026 at 6:22PM EST – Dunedin, Florida – The Toronto Blue Jays are getting their first in-person look at their high-profile off-season acquisition, Kazuma Okamoto, as Spring Training kicks off. The 29-year-old power-hitting third baseman, a star in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Blue Jays in January.

Okamoto boasts an impressive track record, having hit at least 30 home runs in six consecutive seasons (2018-2023) with the Yomiuri Giants. His career .274 batting average over 1,377 games in Japan speaks to his consistent offensive prowess. Now, Blue Jays coaches and players are eager to see if that success translates to Major League Baseball.

Focus on Defense and Adaptation

While Okamoto’s offensive capabilities are well-documented, Blue Jays manager John Schneider is initially focusing on his defensive adjustments. “Where he’s playing depth-wise, the speed of the game, how guys are getting down the line and how he can approach the ball being hit a little bit harder there, that’s what we’re looking for in spring,” Schneider explained to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. Coaches are working with Okamoto on range and positioning, even having him practice at shortstop to improve his overall fielding skills.

A key area of evaluation is Okamoto’s arm strength, particularly given the challenging right-handed power hitters in the American League. This will be a crucial comparison point against Addison Barger, who started 67 games at third base for the team in 2025, including postseason appearances.

Okamoto Expected to be the Starting Third Baseman

Despite competition from players like Ernie Clement and Ben Cowles (acquired from the Chicago Cubs), Okamoto is expected to be the starting third baseman when the regular season begins. He’s slated to start in the Grapefruit League opener on Saturday, and is expected to see “the lion’s share” of playing time at the position.

Addressing the Bichette Departure & Team Outlook

The Blue Jays made significant changes following their Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, revamping their starting rotation and bullpen. However, the most notable change in the batting order is the addition of Okamoto, coupled with the departure of shortstop Bo Bichette, who signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets after a stellar 2025 season (.311 average, 18 home runs).

Schneider acknowledges the challenge of replacing Bichette’s production but is optimistic about Okamoto’s fit. “The cool thing about him is how he fits our approach to a T. There’s contact, and there’s damage,” Schneider said. “It’s about picking spots where to do that and understanding where you fit in throughout the lineup.”

World Baseball Classic & Regular Season

Before fully focusing on the MLB season, Okamoto will join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic, where he previously helped lead the team to victory in 2023. He is currently scheduled to start at third base in several upcoming Spring Training games, including Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, as well as on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, February 26th.

The Blue Jays will open their regular season at home against the Athletics on March 27th, aiming to build on last year’s success and make another run for the championship.

Source: MLB.com