Will the Blue Jays Need Another Left-Handed Reliever?

The Blue Jays worked Mason Fluharty too hard in 2026. The sophomore made a league-leading 83 appearances. He became one of only three pitchers in the last decade to pitch in more than half the season's games. Fluharty also became the first pitcher since Jonathan Broxton in 2007 to pitch at least 83 games in his age-24 (or younger) campaign. 

I should be clear that Fluharty was up to the task. He finished the season with a 7-1 record, a 3.30 ERA, and 19 holds. His 2.83 expected ERA (per Statcast) was especially impressive; only five AL pitchers threw more innings with a lower xERA.

Even so, it's not sustainable to ask one reliever to take on so much responsibility. While Fluharty's surface-level numbers were stellar in August and September, I grew more and more nervous during his outings later in the season. From March through July, he posted a 27.3% strikeout rate, a 9.6% walk rate, and a 38.6% groundball rate. In August and September, his strikeout rate plummeted to 18.4%, his walk rate climbed to 13.2%, and he induced groundballs at just a 29.4% clip. Somehow, he only gave up two runs in 27 appearances during that stretch, but the signs of fatigue were there. His average arm angle fell as the year went on, and with that, the release point on all three of his pitches dropped and moved farther toward the first base side. That could help to explain why he struggled to locate his pitches and put hitters away. 

Having said all that... I didn't actually plan to write about Mason Fluharty today. What I really want to discuss are the Blue Jays' other left-handed relievers.

Fluharty dominated left-handed hitters this past season. He held them to a .189 wOBA and a 1.83 xERA. That's why John Schneider called on him so often. Well, that and the fact that Schneider didn't have enough other lefty relievers he trusted. So, if the Jays are going to give Fluharty a bit of a break in 2027, they'll need some more left-handers they can count on. 

Here's my question: Are those lefties already in the building?

Brendon Little was Toronto's best southpaw in 2025. He looked completely lost early in 2026, but he figured things out by the end of the year – though you wouldn't know it by looking at his overall numbers.

Little's 6.35 ERA and negative fWAR obscure just how good he was in the second half. Post-All-Star break, Little looked every bit as dominant as he was before the break in 2025. In 23.2 innings this July, August, and September, he worked to a 2.28 ERA, a 2.47 xERA, and a 37% strikeout rate. His walk rate was still astronomical, but that's just who Little is. He doesn't need to get his walk rate down – he just needs to rack up enough strikeouts that the walks can't hurt him. 

Another lefty flashed terrific stuff for Toronto late this past season: Brendan Cellucci. The 28-year-old rookie only threw 8.2 innings, but in that tiny sample, he struck out 11 batters. His four-seam and sweeper made a perfect pair. 

The Blue Jays aren't going to save a spot for Cellucci on next year's Opening Day roster. Yet, he has earned the right to stick on the roster this winter and compete for a job in the spring. The fact that he has two option years remaining will hurt his chances to break camp, but it's great that the Jays could have some optionable left-handed depth with big strikeout stuff.

That description also applied to Ricky Tiedemann, the last piece of this puzzle. The Blue Jays presumably want Tiedemann to stretch out as a starter in 2027. That means he'll probably start the year with Triple-A Buffalo. However, if the big league club needs a new lefty for the bullpen, Tiedemann will be another option they can call on. 

So, do the Blue Jays need to bring in another left-handed reliever? Well, it all depends on their internal evaluation of Little, but I'm leaning no. Barring an injury or a surprising trade, Fluharty will be on the Opening Day roster next season. Little is out of minor league options, and his stuff is too good for the Jays to just let him go. So, I'm guessing he makes the OD roster too. It will be a bit of a gamble, but giving up on him would be a gamble too. And with Cellucci and Tiedemann as backup plans, I think gambling on Little is the right move. 

Ross Atkins will still need to look for bullpen depth this offseason. He should hand out several low-risk minor league contracts, and I expect he'll add one veteran on a guaranteed deal as well. Could that veteran be a southpaw? Sure. It's not like the Jays are starved for righty relievers. But I don't think they're going to be seeking a lefty specialist for the middle innings. The guys they already have have got that covered.

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