Here's the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Blue Jays announced their 26-man roster Thursday, just prior to first pitch on Opening Day. Jordan Romano (right elbow inflammation) and Erik Swanson (right forearm tightness) will start the season on the IL, as expected, which opens the door for Nate Pearson and Wes Parsons.

Otherwise, the Blue Jays are betting on themselves – and internal improvements – to be better than 2023:

Catcher (2): Alejandro Kirk, Brian Serven
This is going to be Kirk’s show. As much as he can take, he’ll get, as Danny Jansen works back from a fractured bone in his right wrist. Serven will operate as the backup, a job he earned with a strong spring, and he could line up to catch Bowden Francis, if you’re looking at the schedule.

First base (2): Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Daniel Vogelbach
Giving Guerrero 125 starts at first base with one DH day per week feels like the sweet spot. This position got interesting when Joey Votto joined camp, but he’ll continue to ramp up in Dunedin as he works back from a minor ankle injury. In the meantime, Vogelbach gets the opportunity to run with this job and provides the Blue Jays with a situational power bat off the bench. Look for Vogelbach to get a few starts against righties.

Second base (2): Davis Schneider, Cavan Biggio
Biggio will play everywhere, but expect the largest share of those reps to come at second base, a position that will be a revolving door all season. Schneider has shown some swing-and-miss, both in late 2023 and this spring, but his power potential is too important to this team. If he can play a bit of left field, that makes it even easier for Schneider to maximize his lineups.

Shortstop (1): Bo Bichette
Bichette is the best bet on this roster to play 162 games, and the young star has continued to make strides as a defender. Bichette dedicates incredible time to that area of his game, and it is paying off. Isiah Kiner-Falefa can play short, and the Blue Jays could turn to Ernie Clement if injuries hit, but No. 5 prospect Leo Jimenez is a true shortstop and could force his way in.

Third base (1): Isiah Kiner-Falefa
This position looks like Kiner-Falefa’s to run with. He profiles as an excellent defender and can play nearly every position on the diamond, but so much of the focus will be on his offensive numbers. A Blue Jays lineup in need of offensive upside needs some of that to come from the hot corner. Through the year, Justin Turner could see the odd day here, too.

Outfield (3): George Springer, Kevin Kiermaier, Daulton Varsho
Carrying just three outfielders doesn’t feel ideal, but consider that after breaking camp with Nathan Lukes last season, Lukes made just 16 plate appearances over the first two months. Instead, the Blue Jays could opt to slide Kiner-Falefa, Schneider, Biggio and others to the outfield on certain days. If an injury strikes, a true outfielder could be recalled on a more permanent basis. Top prospects Alan Roden and Addison Barger would be in that conversation.

Designated hitter (1): Justin Turner
Turner is still going strong at 39. He’ll see limited time at first and third base, but he’s the best bet to be the Blue Jays’ DH for 100-plus games.

Utility (1): Ernie Clement
Clement won this job with an excellent camp. Manager John Schneider praised Clement for his “elite contact skills," and when you combine that with his defensive versatility and athleticism, it makes him a nice MLB bench option. Clement will play second, third and short.

Starting pitchers (5): Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Yusei Kikuchi, Bowden Francis
It looked like Gausman could miss his first trip (or two) through the rotation, but he’s done enough to be ready for the season, even if that means capping him around 75 pitches in his first outing. With Francis stepping in for Alek Manoah (right shoulder soreness), this rotation is in fine shape.

Relief pitchers (8): Tim Mayza, Chad Green, Yimi García, Trevor Richards, Génesis Cabrera, Mitch White, Wes Parsons, Nate Pearson
With Romano and Swanson on the IL, Parsons wins the final job in the bullpen. He'll be a long man, but his name came up a surprising amount through camp given some recent upticks in his velocity and movement. Pearson also gets another crack at the big leagues after showing flashes in 2023, but replacing Romano and Swanson won’t be easy. Expect Garcia and Green to get the save opportunities.