Blue Jays Make Flurry of Roster Moves as Free Agency Season Gets Underway

[Edward E]

It may only be the start of MLB free agency season, but the Toronto Blue Jays have already begun to position themselves in preparation for the offseason ahead. On Thursday, the team executed a flurry of roster moves. The most notable being, of course, extending a qualifying offer to Bo Bichette.

As for the slew of Jays players that saw significant time on the injured list this past season, Angel Bastardo, Bowden Francis, Yimi García and Nick Sandlin were all officially reinstated to the 40-man roster from the 60-day IL. Minor league catcher Brandon Valenzuela had his contract selected and added to the Jays' major league roster, while pitchers Ryan Burr, Dillon Tate and Robinson Piña all cleared waivers, with Burr and Tate electing free agency and Piña being sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo.

Toronto had selected Bastardo in the Rule 5 draft this past winter due to his attractive strikeout ability. However, he missed the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. As for Francis, he was expected to be a key part of the back end of the Jays’ rotation this year after a sensational finish to his 2024 campaign with Toronto. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, as Francis struggled with consistency and his command, leading to a miserable 2-8 record with a bloated 6.05 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 14 starts. Things went from bad to worse when he suffered a right shoulder impingement that ultimately ended his 2025 season.

As for García, he was amidst another strong season with the Jays. He managed to hold the opposition to zero earned runs in his first 14 relief appearances, a streak that lasted to the start of May. However, bad injury luck would befall him in the subsequent months, as first he would suffer a right shoulder impingement that held him out of action for over a month. Then, after returning from the IL for one game in July, García would miss the rest of the season after experiencing right elbow ulnar nerve symptoms before undergoing season-ending surgery to clean up scar tissue in his elbow.

Sandlin looked to be another vital bullpen piece for the Jays after coming over with Andrés Giménez in a surprising trade with the Cleveland Guardians last offseason. However, his brilliant debut season for Toronto was also marred by injuries throughout. Despite posting a strong 2.20 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, along with 16 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings of work, a right lat strain in late April and right elbow inflammation near the beginning of July would practically wipe out his first year with the Jays.

Valenzuela was a trade deadline pickup by Toronto, acquired when the team sent rookie Will Wagner to the San Diego Padres to add valuable catching depth to the organization.

Finally, Burr, Tate, and Piña all made brief appearances for the Blue Jays this season, with Burr having the most success, recording a win and three strikeouts over two innings of work. However, a right rotator cuff strain that required surgery would end his 2025 season and now his tenure with Toronto. As for Tate and Piña, their outings were less memorable, as they struggled to get outs for the Jays while up with the club.

Jays fans can anticipate far more exciting moves as the offseason proceeds, as the front office aims to bolster the roster ahead of the 2026 season for a chance at another deep postseason run.

View full article