Spring coaching is an ideal alternative to snuff out wants and choices for the Toronto Blue Jays. Within the context of the pitching class, many new names have been added to the combo – Max Scherzer, Jeff Hoffman, Nick Sandlin – all new arms who’ve now been added to the fold. The bullpen has gotten a big makeover from 2024, which amongst MLB groups, was twenty ninth total when it comes to ERA.
With the brand new additions for the workforce, nevertheless, comes alternative. With Hoffman, Yimi García and Chad Inexperienced probably serving because the late inning trio for the Blue Jays, plenty of different alternatives are nonetheless up for grabs. It’s probably Sandlin, Erik Swanson, and Brandon Little all have spots on the roster, which leaves room for about one to 2 extra arms for the pen.
Lengthy aid arms are essential, particularly given the age of the rotation being round mid 30s, having a man to return in and toss a pair innings is essential. Listed below are a few names the workforce can look to fill that void:
Yariel Rodríguez
Rodríguezwas initially introduced into the group to be a beginning pitcher – it was one of many causes he selected the Blue Jays over another workforce final winter – and was thrust into the beginning rotation given the Jays’ low quantity of depth choices to start out video games (and as soon as he was wholesome). Throughout 21 video games and 86 2/3 innings final season, Rodriguez posted a 4.47 ERA, 85 strikeouts, and authored a 1.31 WHIP with an 8.8 Ok/9. He struggled with the walks at instances, evidenced by his 4.2 BB/9, however his first foray in Main League Baseball had each positives and negatives on the season.
Yariel Rodríguez racks up his second strikeout within the first inning! 🔥
Catch all of the motion on SN1 or stream on Sportsnet+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/qLb9yuft62
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 23, 2025
For a man who’s solely primarily discovered extra success within the bullpen as of late over the rotation (his 2022 numbers with the Chunichi Dragons are insane), his longevity within the beginning market hasn’t been gigantic. Rodríguez is barely 27 years previous and the plan for the group is to stretch him out within the spring as a starter however preserve him stashed away within the pen to go a few innings if want be.
After not pitching for many of 2023 as he awaited clearance to change into MLB free agent eligible, his longest outing final season was on Canada Day final yr, the place he went 6 2/3 innings permitting simply 1 run and a couple of hits to the Houston Astros. The utmost pitches he’s thrown per a sport is about 80 pitches, so if wanted, he for certain can step up in an extended aid capability – particularly since he can’t be optioned to the minors with out his approval beginning this season.
Ryan Yarbrough
The very fact it took this lengthy for any workforce to signal Ryan Yarbrough was truly form of surprising. After a fairly stellar 12 video games with the Blue Jays put up commerce deadline final season, he signed a minor league cope with the membership on February twenty first with an invitation to Spring Coaching.
This was a steal given how Yarbrough was an efficient arm for the workforce within the again half of the season, posting a 2.01 ERA with 26 strikeouts and solely 7 walks throughout that stretch. Yarbrough match the mildew of lengthy aid final yr, after the workforce went with the opener technique at factors of the marketing campaign, utilizing names like Ryan Burr to start out video games and taking on the heavy lifting after the primary inning.
Yarbrough has the profit additionally of being a former starter, for an American League East workforce no much less within the Tampa Bay Rays. Granted, he was cut up between beginning and pitching out of the bullpen for the Rays all through the season, nevertheless it nonetheless reveals how the flexibility is there. Yarbrough solely gave up three runs as soon as final season and was terrific to go three or extra innings if the Blue Jays wanted him to. Given how this workforce has an open spot for a left-handed pitcher within the bullpen to enrich Little, having a participant like Yarbrough on a minor league wage is a big bonus for a workforce trying to contend.
Ryan Yarbrough arrived in camp every week late. He had been throwing bullpens within the days main as much as signing w/ #BlueJays. Threw reside BP immediately.
“It’s been actually seamless coming into camp. Subsequent steps are getting in video games.”
Doesn’t assume the ramp up interval will probably be an issue. pic.twitter.com/f76PC276Kp— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) February 27, 2025
Eric Lauer
This signing went below the radar for Blue Jays followers because the deal occurred in the course of the notorious Juan Soto watch. It was a signing that many didn’t bat an eyelash at, and on the time we are able to perceive why. Now that point has handed, many marvel what precisely Eric Lauer brings to the desk?
Apart from beginning depth, he’s coming off a tough marketing campaign in Milwaukee two years in the past the place he put up an ERA of 6.56 throughout 10 video games in 2023. After beginning one other tough stretch in triple-A with each the Astros and Pirates, he ended up going abroad to the KBO. Throughout seven video games he put up an ERA of 4.93, which once more is just not a big enchancment from the 6+ ERA he had earlier than, nevertheless it does present he was enhancing with the best circumstances. In 2021 & 2022, Lauer discovered success with the Brewers the place he tallied up ERAs of three.19 throughout 24 appearances (20 of these begins) and a 3.69 ERA throughout 29 begins respectively.
Bringing in arms with main league expertise on minor league offers is one thing this group is aware of all too nicely. Given what they achieved with different pitchers akin to Robbie Ray (Cy Younger), Steven Matz and most just lately Yusei Kikuchi, this workforce likes to create reclamation tasks.
Is Lauer somebody who can leap up the Blue Jays depth charts and eat innings for them? Possibly, he’s no stranger to work out of the bullpen and within the rotation. The important thing right here is consistency and what we see out of him within the spring could be a large catalyst for that, though the Jays could decide to maintain him in triple-A as beginning depth given the quantity of accidents to the workforce’s rotation arms within the minor leagues.
