The Blue Jays are adding to their pitching depth, agreeing to a minor league deal with left-hander Josh Fleming. The 29-year-old gets a non-roster invite to Spring Training, giving Toronto a low-risk look at a pitcher with plenty of AL East experience.
Fleming spent last season in Triple-A with the Mariners, working primarily out of the bullpen. It wasn’t a banner year statistically-he posted a 4.91 ERA over 84 1/3 innings-but there are elements of his profile that still intrigue.
He generated ground balls at a strong 57.8% clip, a sign that his sinker-heavy approach still plays in terms of inducing weak contact. But his strikeout rate-just 11.5%-was the second-lowest among Triple-A arms with at least 50 innings pitched.
That’s a red flag in today’s game, where swing-and-miss stuff is at a premium.
Fleming isn’t going to overpower anyone. His sinker hovers around 90 MPH, and he mixes in a cutter, changeup, and curveball to keep hitters off balance. He’s more about soft contact than strikeouts, which can work in the right role, especially if he’s keeping the ball on the ground and avoiding walks.
Originally a fifth-round pick by the Rays, Fleming is no stranger to the AL East. He spent four seasons with Tampa Bay between 2020 and 2023 before a stint with the Pirates in 2024.
Across parts of five big league seasons, he owns a 4.77 ERA over 254 2/3 innings. The story has been fairly consistent-he throws strikes, keeps the ball down, but doesn’t miss many bats.
That kind of profile limits his upside, but also gives him a shot to stick around as a depth arm, especially in a long relief role.
For the Blue Jays, this is a classic depth signing. Fleming likely opens the year at Triple-A Buffalo, where he can serve as insurance for the big league bullpen or rotation.
He’s not going to headline the staff, but in a long season, having a guy who can eat innings and keep the ball in the yard has real value. If he can sharpen his secondary stuff or find a bit more deception, he could work his way into the mix when the inevitable pitching injuries hit.