The Toronto Blue Jays made a notable move to reinforce their bullpen, officially signing right-handed reliever Tyler Rogers-a pitcher whose submarine delivery and consistent command have made him one of the more unique arms in baseball. Rogers brings a distinct look to the mound, and in a league where deception and durability are prized, he checks both boxes.
But with every addition comes a corresponding subtraction. To make room for Rogers on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated left-hander Justin Bruihl for assignment.
That move sends Bruihl into the waiver process, where any team can claim him. If he clears, the Blue Jays can retain him within the organization, likely stashing him in Triple-A as bullpen depth.
Bruihl, 28, has taken a winding road through the majors. Undrafted out of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, he carved out a role for himself with the Dodgers, appearing in 65 games across the 2021-2023 seasons and putting up a respectable 3.65 ERA. That stretch showed he could get outs at the highest level, especially against left-handed hitters.
But things got bumpier after that. A brief stint with the Rockies saw his ERA balloon in limited action, and in 2024, he split time with the Pirates, where he struggled in seven appearances, posting a 9.53 ERA.
The Blue Jays picked him up for the 2025 season, and while his numbers in the majors weren’t eye-popping-5.27 ERA over 15 games-there were signs of value. He struck out 18 in just under 14 innings, though the seven walks suggest command remains a work in progress.
At Triple-A Buffalo, Bruihl was steadier. In 39 games, he logged a 3.43 ERA, proving he can still be an effective arm at the upper levels of the minors. That’s the kind of profile that teams like to keep around-someone who can be called up when the bullpen needs a fresh arm or a lefty specialist.
There’s a reason left-handed relievers have staying power in this league. Even with some recent struggles, Bruihl has shown flashes of being a useful piece, especially in the right matchups. The Blue Jays would certainly prefer to keep him in the system, but there’s always the chance another club sees an opportunity to unlock more from his arm.
For now, Toronto adds a proven bullpen weapon in Rogers, whose groundball-heavy approach fits nicely into a staff that’s looking for reliability late in games. And while Bruihl’s future is uncertain, his track record suggests he won’t be out of the mix for long-whether that’s north of the border or elsewhere.