The Blue Jays figured to make their money with the starting rotation this season. Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage were the names supposed to carry that load. Instead, Toronto’s most dangerous edge has come from a bullpen trio few saw coming: Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers and Spencer Miles.
That’s what makes this group so striking. Varland was known as a hard-throwing setup man last year.
Rogers is a 35-year-old submarine specialist. Miles came into the season as a Rule 5 Draft pick with fewer than 15 professional innings on his resume.
On paper, that doesn’t scream shutdown unit. In practice, it has turned into one of the nastiest three-man combinations in the sport.
Varland has been the headliner. Through Tuesday, he owned a 1.26 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 64.1 innings, and he ranked fifth in the league with 28 saves even though he didn’t start the year as Toronto’s closer. He took the ninth-inning job from Jeff Hoffman and has completely changed the feel of the bullpen.
Rogers has been every bit as sharp. His 1.57 ERA tells part of the story, but the contact profile is where he really stands out. He ranks in the 100th percentile in barrel rate allowed, has not given up a home run all season, and has produced ground balls 63.4% of the time.
Miles has given Toronto a third weapon that doesn’t look like a rookie at all. He’s posted a 1.83 ERA in 64 innings out of the bullpen and has overmatched hitters with a sinker sitting in the mid-to-upper 90s. For a pitcher with so little pro experience, he’s brought a steadying presence that has mattered.
With those three lined up and a lead in the seventh inning, Toronto has often made life miserable for the other dugout. That’s the case for a lot of teams around the league, but the conversation about the best trio starts in San Diego.
The Padres have Mason Miller, and the numbers are ridiculous: a 0.88 ERA and a 47.4% K-rate. They also have Adrian Morejon, whose left-handed sinker has helped him keep ground balls above 60% for years, and Jeremiah Estrada, who has missed time this season but has been dominant when available.
Even with that competition, Toronto’s group stands out as the best in the American League. Varland, Rogers and Miles have become the kind of late-game arms that can slam the door, and if the Blue Jays do get back into the postseason mix this fall, this is the group that can help shorten games fast.
In Other News...
Kevin Gausman's Early Exit Just Put New Focus On Blue Jays Trade
Kevin Gausmans return to Wrigley Field turned into an abrupt reminder of just how much can change around a trade deadline. The veteran right-hander, now with the Cubs after being dealt by the Blue Jays in 2026, was working through his start before leaving early, adding an unexpected layer to a matchup that already carried plenty of familiarity for Toronto fans tracking where one of their former rotation anchors ended up.
What made the exit stand out was the way it unfolded, with Gausman dealing with a problem in his non-throwing hand rather than his arm. He has felt the same cramp before, but never this soon in an outing, and that is the part Toronto will have noticed most as it keeps tabs on the ripple effects of a trade that changed the look of both clubs. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Already Made A Telling Call On Recent Pitching Addition
The Blue Jays kept turning over the back end of their pitching staff Tuesday, designating Matt Waldron for assignment after a rough stretch that left little room for patience. Waldron, claimed off waivers from the Padres earlier this month, struggled across four appearances and now finds himself on the move again as Toronto continues to search for workable depth on the mound.
In his place, the club selected left-hander Brendan Cellucci, a bullpen arm who has not yet made his major league debut. It is the kind of roster shuffle that says as much about where the Blue Jays are right now as any public statement could, with the front office clearly willing to keep cycling through options until someone sticks. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Missed Ketel Marte Chance Suddenly Looks A Lot Better
The Blue Jays reported interest in Ketel Marte is suddenly looking more complicated than it did even a day ago. Arizona has put the versatile infielder on the restricted list after he missed a game because of a personal issue, a development that adds a layer of uncertainty around one of the more intriguing names Toronto was said to be monitoring.
Marte is also scheduled to have an MRI on his knee in Phoenix, and the details around when or where the injury happened remain unclear. For a Toronto club that could still use impact help, the situation is a reminder that rumored trade targets can change quickly, and that a player who once seemed like a clean fit can become a much murkier bet before any deal ever materializes. [Read more 🡒]