The Toronto Blue Jays continue to hold out hope that a surge in the standings following the trade deadline can lead to a playoff berth despite a disappointing season overall.

And that’s what makes their ongoing series against the division leading Tampa Bay Rays so compelling. But entering their matchup on Wednesday, they were dealing with a difficult lineup situation, with two key position players ruled out.

“Both George Springer and Ernie Clement were not in the lineup when it was posted early in the afternoon,” Mike Ganter reported for the Toronto Sun. “Springer was getting a much-needed day to rest a sore shoulder while Clement woke up feeling under the weather and was scratched from the lineup.”

That left the Blue Jays to rely on Jesus Sanchez in the outfield. And, unfortunately for Toronto, his defensive struggles in the field became impossible to overlook.

Toronto Blue Jays Manager John Schneider Sends Jesus Sanchez Message After Defensive Struggles

Sanchez misplayed two fly balls at Tropicana Field, mistakes that contributed to a 7-6 loss and put additional pressure on a club fighting for its postseason position. The outfielder acknowledged after the game that his defense was an issue in the matchup and that it has not been good enough throughout this season.

Ultimately, it was a costly instance of what has made Sanchez a difficult option to trust for the Blue Jays this year and going forward.

“If Sanchez weren’t having the worst defensive season of his career by OAA, playing him wouldn’t be much of a decision,” Mitch Bannon noted for The Athletic. “But here the Jays are, with key bats struggling and others on the injured list. Even if Sanchez wasn’t acquired in spring training to play regularly, it’s a position he’s been forced to fill.”

Sanchez’s situation is particularly complicated because Toronto needs his bat. The Blue Jays acquired him to provide offensive production, but injuries and other lineup issues have forced him into regular defensive duty.

In response to the growing defensive concerns, manager John Schneider, who is typically candid about player concerns, offered a two-word response that suggested Sanchez will continue to receive opportunities to improve in the outfield.

“He works,” Schneider said, according to Bannon.

The message seemed to underscore that Schneider won’t be frustrated with the struggling outfielder as long as his issues aren’t from lack of effort.

“If a guy wasn’t working, you’d be pissed,” Schneider added, per Bannon. “But he works at it. But today wasn’t the best day for him.”

Toronto Blue Jays Appear Committed To Jesus Sanchez Amid Issues

That message is significant because Sanchez’s defensive problems clearly have not erased his value to the Blue Jays.

Toronto has spent much of the season navigating injuries and inconsistent production, making it difficult to simply remove a potentially productive hitter from the lineup. Sanchez’s mistakes were costly on Wednesday, but the Blue Jays still have to determine whether his offensive contributions outweigh the defensive risk. And it seems that Schneider remains optimistic that Sanchez will improve on the defensive front through continued work.