Breaking News: Justin Bruihl Designated for Assignment by the Blue Jays!
This move signals a shift in the Blue Jays' roster strategy. They've made the decision to designate left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl for assignment, paving the way for right-hander Tyler Rogers, whose signing is now official, to take his place on the 40-man roster.
Bruihl, who turns 29 in June, joined the Jays on a minor league deal last offseason. He was called up to the major league roster in June and spent the rest of the season bouncing between Toronto and Triple-A Buffalo.
In his 15 appearances for the Blue Jays, Bruihl pitched 13 2/3 innings. His earned run average (ERA) of 5.27 might not look impressive, but a deeper dive reveals a more nuanced story. His batting average on balls in play (BABIP) was a high .459, significantly above the league average of .291. However, his strikeout rate of 27.7% and ground ball rate of 46.2% were quite strong. His walk rate of 10.8% was a bit high, but not alarmingly so.
In Triple-A, Bruihl had a much better ERA of 3.43 in 42 innings. He displayed similar rate stats. His ground ball rate was higher, at 58.4%, while his strikeout rate (27.8%) and walk rate (9.1%) were very close to his major league numbers. His BABIP was closer to normal at .274, which helped his ERA improve.
Despite the high ERA in the majors, the Jays trusted Bruihl enough to pitch him in some important games. He was even on the roster for the ALDS matchup against the Yankees. However, he was left off the ALCS roster after allowing two earned runs in his only appearance against the Yankees.
Here's where it gets interesting: Bruihl has exhausted his final option season. This means he'll no longer have the option of being sent down to the minors without being exposed to waivers. This makes it more challenging for him to secure a spot on the roster, especially for a team like the Blue Jays, who are actively bolstering their roster to compete again in 2026. Toronto also has three other left-handed relievers on the roster: Brendon Little, Mason Fluharty, and Eric Lauer. Prospect Ricky Tiedemann could also be a factor in the bullpen plans after missing 2025 due to Tommy John surgery.
It might be easier for Bruihl to find a spot with a rebuilding team. He'll be in DFA limbo for a week at most. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so the Jays could take five days to gauge trade interest. If Bruihl lands elsewhere, he has between one and two years of service time, meaning he hasn't qualified for arbitration yet and could potentially be controlled for five full seasons.
What do you think? Do you believe Bruihl deserved a longer look with the Blue Jays? Could he find success with another team? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
