The Toronto Blue Jays have made an intriguing International Free Agent signing.
Toronto has been scouring the Japanese market for years the team finally landed one of the top ones, in slugger Kazuma Okamoto this offseason. Now, the team has inked a pitcher, according to Francys Romero on X.
“Source: Japanese right-hander pitcher Tomoya Kinjo is in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays for the current international signing period, pending a physical. Kinjo, 23, reaches 97 mph with his fastball and also features a changeup, curveball, and sinker,” Romero wrote on X.
Although Kinjo is 23 years old, he is part of the International Free Agent signing period, so he won’t factor into the MLB roster anytime soon, even though the Blue Jays rotation is dealing with plenty of injuries.
Kinjo is a hard-throwing right-hander with four pitches, but there isn’t a ton of information available on him. How much he also signed for is uncertain, but he adds some more pitching depth to the organization.
According to Yakyu Cosmopolitan, Kinjo was pitching for the independent league Kochi Fighting Dogs in 2025 and also played in the Japan Winter League. He is also documenting his journey to throwing 100 MPH.
And, at 23, Kinjo could move quickly up the minor leagues if he can pitch well. But, for now, it’s another addition to the Blue Jays’ farm system, which is starting to become a much better system.
Blue Jays International Free Agent Signings
The International Free Agent signing period began back in January, and the Blue Jays have made some nice splashes.
Toronto’s top signing was Venezuela catcher Juan Caricote to a $1.95 million deal, whom the Blue Jays described as an athletic, twitchy, strong left-handed hitting catcher.
“There are at times some bigger moves in the swing, but he has a whippy bat and has a pretty good idea at the plate,” Blue Jays vice-president, international scouting and baseball operations Andrew Tinnish said to Sportsnet. There’s a chance for real power. There’s a chance to be a good defender back there. He needs work. It’s going to take time. He is still learning the finer points.”
The other two marquee signings are Dominican outfielders Michael Mesa, who signed for $800,000, and Anuedy Severino, who signed for $700,000.
Toronto Dealing With Injuries to Rotation
The Blue Jays entered this season with a plethora of starters, but already the team is dealing with some key injuries.
Jose Berrios, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber were all injured to begin the season, while Cody Ponce suffered a knee injury that could cost him the entire season.
The Blue Jays’ rotation was so depleted that the team has signed left-hander Patrick Corbin to a one-year, $1 million deal to add some much-needed depth.
“A veteran lefty who can post. He’s done it, he’s been a winning player, he’s been a winning pitcher and he’s been doing it for a long time,” John Schneider said. “He’s been built up. And I think he’s throwing 75 pitches today, at least. He’s been throwing, much like Max was before we signed him.”
The Blue Jays are off to a disappointing 4-5 start.
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