The Toronto Blue Jays added another pitcher to bolster their bullpen, potentially.
The Blue Jays reportedly signed 30-year-old right-hander Jorge Alcala to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, according to Ari Alexander.
Alcala is a five-pitch pitcher who uses a four-seam fastball, which reaches 98 MPH, along with a changeup, a curveball, a sinker, and a slider. He spent last season with the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals.
The 30-year-old right-hander went 0–2 record, with a 8.88 ERA and 28 strikeouts across 24.1 innings pitched with the Twins. He was then traded to the Red Sox in June. Alcala appeared in 19 games, as he had a 3.31 ERA over 16.1 innings.
Despite having success, Boston DFA’d Alcala and he was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals. He went 0-0 with a 5.02 ERA in 15 games with the Cardinals and now looks to crack the Blue Jays bullpen. Overall in 2025, Alcala was 0-2 with a 6.22 ERA in 56 games over 55 innings.
Toronto did add Tyler Rogers to the bullpen to be a high-leverage reliever, but outside of that, the Blue Jays haven’t done much to the bullpen.
Alcala will look to compete with the likes of Yariel Rodriguez, Tommy Nance, Angel Bastardo, Chase Lee, Paxton Schultz, and Spencer Miles for the low-leverage spots in the Blue Jays bullpen.
Blue Jays GM Hinted at Making Bullpen Moves
The backend of the Blue Jays bullpen is led by Jeff Hoffman, Louis Varland, Rogers, and Yimi Garcia if he’s healthy.
Although Toronto hasn’t added a closer, despite being linked to some, the Blue Jays hinted at making a move. Entering the offseason, general manager Ross Atkins wouldn’t confirm that Hoffman would remain the team’s closer.
“The great thing about Jeff is he’s not married to that,” Atkins said on Nov. 6. “Talking about the cohesion and team approach (of the Jays), he epitomizes that. I think he would be open to anything that makes us better.”
Hoffman gave up the game-tying home run in the top of the ninth in Game 7 of the World Series. Hoffman went 9-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 71 games last season, including going 33-of-40 in save opportunities.
Toronto Could Look to Bolster Bullpen
Although the Blue Jays have been focused on pitching, Toronto may not be done.
After the Winter Meetings, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the team could use another high-leverage reliever or two.
“Bullpen sticks out a little bit, and probably a bat of some sort,” Schneider said on Dec. 9. “You feel good about your offense, but adding would be would be nice and I think that’s a priority. Adding another high-leverage bullpen arm is another.”
Toronto did add Rogers, who can be a high-leverage reliever, but the Blue Jays didn’t land a true closer.
But, for now, the next move for Toronto likely is a bat. The Blue Jays’ three big offseason moves are all pitchers in Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Rogers. Atkins also believes the time is now for Toronto to strike.
“Over time, lots of people — most importantly, ownership — have poured resources into the Toronto Blue Jays,” Atkins concluded. “Over time, it’s become more attractive. When you take the body of work and put it on the biggest stage of baseball, then there’s more attention and that turns into momentum.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Blue Jays Sign Former Red Sox 5-Pitch Reliever to Potentially Bolster Bullpen appeared first on Heavy Sports.