Spring training is winding down, and the Toronto Blue Jays are honing in on their bullpen lineup for Opening Day. With the starting rotation mostly sorted despite recent injuries, the focus now shifts to deciding which eight relievers will make the cut.
Yimi García is set to start the season on the injured list following off-season elbow surgery. Once he's back, he'll join a strong back-end group featuring closer Jeff Hoffman, Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers, and Brendon Little. This quartet is expected to anchor the bullpen, leaving a few spots still up for grabs.
Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher, who impressed during their rookie seasons in 2025, are likely to secure their places. With Eric Lauer moving back to a starting role due to injuries to José Berríos and Trey Yesavage, two bullpen spots remain open.
Tommy Nance, who has no minor league options left, is a prime candidate for one of these spots. His performance last season, boasting a 1.99 ERA and a nearly 20% strikeout-minus-walk rate, makes him a valuable asset. The risk of losing him to waivers likely secures his place in the bullpen.
With Lauer no longer available for long relief, the final spot is expected to go to someone capable of extended outings. Manager John Schneider hinted at this need for versatility, mentioning Adam Macko and Lazaro Estrada as internal options. Both have experience in starting and relief roles, making them strong contenders.
Non-roster invitees Yariel Rodríguez and Connor Seabold are also in the mix, though they’d need to be added to the 40-man roster. Additionally, Rule 5 picks Angel Bastardo and Spencer Miles are under consideration. Both have been stretched out in spring training, with Miles showing particular promise in multi-inning appearances.
There's also the possibility of looking outside the organization for additional depth. As teams finalize their rosters, experienced arms with starting or bulk relief backgrounds might become available, offering the Blue Jays more options.
Ultimately, the Blue Jays will choose the reliever they believe ranks among their top eight, focusing purely on performance and potential impact. The upcoming decisions will be crucial as they aim to build a bullpen ready to tackle the challenges of the new season.