The Toronto Blue Jays are navigating a tricky situation with their Rule 5 pick, Angel Bastardo. The 23-year-old right-hander, who missed the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, won't be starting the 2026 season in Toronto. This decision puts the team in a tight spot as they face the possibility of losing him.
Bastardo's journey began when the Blue Jays picked him up in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. However, his path was derailed by injury, and now the team must decide his fate. Under Rule 5 regulations, if a player isn't kept on the active roster, they must be offered back to their original team-in this case, the Boston Red Sox.
The next steps are straightforward but time-sensitive. Bastardo will be placed on outright waivers, and if another team claims him, they must add him to their 26-man roster immediately.
If he clears waivers, the Blue Jays must offer him back to the Red Sox for $50,000, which is half of what they initially paid. The Red Sox then have the option to reclaim him without keeping him on their active roster.
There's also a slim window for Toronto to negotiate a trade involving Bastardo before rosters are finalized. If a trade occurs, the acquiring team must adhere to the same Rule 5 roster rules.
For those holding out hope, there are a few scenarios where the Blue Jays could retain Bastardo. If he clears waivers and the Red Sox pass on reclaiming him, he could be optioned to the minors. Alternatively, Toronto could negotiate with Boston to secure full rights to Bastardo, allowing them to manage his contract without the complications of Rule 5 restrictions.
While the situation might seem complex, the likely outcome is that Bastardo returns to Boston or joins another team via waivers. It's an unfortunate turn for the Blue Jays, as they lose a promising player who never got the chance to showcase his talents in Toronto due to injury.