Former Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnación is among the 12 new names on the ballot released Monday for the 2026 Hall of Fame.

Encarnación joins Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp, Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphy, Rick Porcello, Shin-Soo Choo, Gio González, Alex Gordon, Nick Markakis and Hunter Pence, in addition to the group of 15 returning players, on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s ballot.

A player has to get a vote of at least 75 per cent to make it to Cooperstown and at least five per cent to stay on the ballot for next year.

A player will no longer be considered by the writers if they aren’t elected after 10 years on the ballot.

Encarnación made three all-star games in his eight seasons with Toronto , from 2009 to 2016. Over his 16-year career, which also included

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