Geraldo Perdomo will sit out Sunday’s game in the Blue Jays – Dbacks series finale in Toronto after a mistake-filled night in Arizona’s 6-2 win on Saturday. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the move is a planned day off, not a punishment, and rookie Jose Fernandez will start at shortstop. Lovullo said he spoke with Perdomo about the decision, and the shortstop remains available to enter if needed in a close game.
Perdomo’s day off follows a mixed performance
Perdomo still delivered at the plate Saturday, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and three singles. One of those hits came in the bottom of the first, and it was his second three-hit game in his last four contests.
But the game also included costly mistakes. Perdomo was thrown out on the bases twice, nearly was thrown out a third time, and made a defensive error that cost Arizona a run. That combination pushed Lovullo to give him his first day off of the 2026 season in the Blue Jays – Dbacks matchup.
Lovullo said the choice was about rest and timing, especially with a day game following a night game. He described Perdomo as a hard-playing, important part of the club who needs occasional breaks to stay fresh over a long season.
Lovullo says the break is about keeping him fresh
“He needs a day off, ” Lovullo said. “He’s playing hard. He’s a very good player, but needs rest. It’s hard to take him off the field, but today I thought it was a really good day. Day game after a night game, just get him off the field. ”
Lovullo also said Perdomo “might find himself in this game, ” leaving open the possibility of a late pinch-hit appearance if the Blue Jays – Dbacks finale becomes tight. “I’ve already had a conversation with him. He’s ready to go at any point if needed, ” Lovullo said.
A broader pattern of heavy usage
Lovullo said he intends to be more proactive this season with Perdomo’s workload. The shortstop played in 161 games in 2025 and 98 in 2024, when he missed 59 games with a torn meniscus. He had played every game of the 2026 season before this scheduled off day.
Lovullo said he expects Perdomo to play in the high 150s this year and called him one of the team’s emotional leaders. That workload management is now part of the plan, and it shapes the Blue Jays – Dbacks finale as much as the matchup itself.
What comes next in the Blue Jays – Dbacks finale
Fernandez will get the start at shortstop, while Perdomo stays available if Arizona needs him later. For the Blue Jays – Dbacks game, the immediate focus is whether Arizona can close the series with Perdomo resting and Fernandez filling in. The broader question is how often Lovullo will choose this path as the season continues and the Blue Jays – Dbacks schedule keeps moving forward.
