Blue Jays Signal Ex-Phillies Reliever After Forgettable Rangers Stint

[ad_1] Everybody seemingly desires to play for the Toronto Blue Jays lately, however that takes on a distinct that means for the numerous fringy pitchers attempting to make the roster in spring coaching.

The Blue Jays put everybody within the group on discover this weekend after they outrighted Yariel Rodríguez, who signed a $32 million contract two offseasons in the past, off the 40-man roster. Nobody's spot is assured, however on the flip aspect, even these with out assured contracts could have a shot at making the crew in the event that they mild it up in February and March.

Amid that wholesome roster competitors, one other left-handed reduction possibility has joined the fray.

<img id="11197844" alt="" caption="PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 23: Michael Plassmeyer #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park on August 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-6. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="4500" height="3000" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1417536055.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1417536055.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1417536055.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1417536055.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1417536055.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1417536055.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1417536055.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> Michael Plassmeyer, a two-year main league veteran with the Philadelphia Phillies who spent the season within the minor leagues for the Texas Rangers, signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays, in response to the transactions go browsing his official roster web page. The deal formally transpired on Saturday, however didn't seem on the log till Thursday.

In his transient main league profession with the Phillies in 2022 and 2023, Plassmeyer had a 9.82 ERA in 11 innings, placing out 11, however permitting 17 hits. For Triple-A Spherical Rock this 12 months, he was each a starter and reliever, compiling a 4.43 ERA in 105 2/3 innings.

The Blue Jays' most notable different projected left-handed bullpen choices are Brendon Little, Eric Lauer, Mason Fluharty, and Justin Bruihl. Little and Lauer are locks to be on the roster in some capability, whereas Bruihl is out of choices on the minor-league degree.

We do not but know if Plassmeyer will throw a single recreation for the Blue Jays this season, however the fantastic thing about baseball is that many of those signings wind up mattering, as each crew's bullpen depth will get examined to the intense over six months and 162 video games.