Flu bug could be a factor in rough Toronto Blue Jays start

For the first time since June 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays were swept in a season series.

Many expected the reigning American League champions to bounce back from two losses to the Colorado Rockies, especially against a Chicago White Sox team that went 60-102 last season. Instead, the Blue Jays dropped all three games, scoring only seven runs in the entire series.

Yes, it’s easy to point the finger at Brendon Little's pitching performances or Tyler Heineman’s throwing errors, but there’s reportedly something else affecting the Blue Jays’ locker room — the flu.

Terrible afternoon for Tyler Heineman pic.twitter.com/lWRvZqmicA

— Jesse Blake (@JesseBlake) April 4, 2026

An illness has hit the Blue Jays' clubhouse, according to Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson‑Smith.

Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer was not at full strength on Sunday, after reportedly coming down with the flu. He lasted only two innings while giving up two runs on three hits. He was originally scheduled to pitch Saturday afternoon, but his start was pushed back a day due to illness.

"It was probably the worst I’ve ever had it," Lauer said, per Nicholson-Smith. "I’ve been able to drink my calories more than anything. The hard part’s keeping them down."

Eric Lauer (flu) managed to drink a smoothie before today's game but was far from full strength. Wanted to show up for his team.

“It was probably the worst I’ve ever had it,” Lauer said. “I’ve been able to drink my calories more than anything. The hard part’s keeping them down”

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) April 5, 2026

There’s no word on exactly how many players have been affected by the bug, but judging by Toronto's lacklustre weekend performance, others could have been ailing.

Addison Barger has missed three games in the last seven days and was out of the lineup during Saturday's 6-3 loss. He returned on Sunday but left late with bilateral ankle discomfort. He’s also been struggling at the plate, recording just one hit in 19 plate appearances this season.

The four‑game losing streak occurred during the Blue Jays' easiest stretch of the 2026 schedule, with three opponents who combined for 307 losses last season. The schedule only gets tougher from here, with a World Series rematch at home against the LA Dodgers this week.