Blue Jays Sign Former All-Star Pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays are adding experienced depth to their bullpen, bringing back former All-Star left-hander Joe Mantiply on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. 

The 35-year-old reliever already spent part of last season in the organization and will now get another opportunity to work his way onto the big league roster as Toronto prepares for a competitive 2026 campaign.

Joe Mantiply brings All-Star pedigree to Blue Jays bullpen competition

Mantiply’s best season came in 2022 with the Arizona Diamondbacks when he earned a National League All-Star nod after posting a stellar 2.85 ERA with 61 strikeouts across 60 innings. 

That year, he appeared in 69 games and established himself as one of Arizona’s most reliable left-handed relievers, leaning heavily on a sinker and changeup combination that consistently generated ground balls and weak contact.

OFFICIAL: We’ve signed LHP Joe Mantiply to a Minor League deal with an invite to #SpringTraining. pic.twitter.com/bKWOnA6Hej

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 4, 2026

Across eight major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Diamondbacks, Mantiply has logged a 4.54 ERA with 194 strikeouts over 216 innings pitched. 

While his velocity sits below league average, the veteran southpaw has long been known for his command and ability to limit walks. From 2022 through 2024, Mantiply posted at least 39 innings each season and kept his ERA under 4.00 twice during that stretch.

Blue Jays betting on Mantiply bounce-back after rough 2025

The 2025 season was a difficult one for Mantiply. He struggled early with Arizona, allowing 17 runs in just 9.2 innings across 10 appearances before being released in June. 

Toronto brought him into the organization shortly afterward, and the veteran showed signs of stabilizing at Triple-A Buffalo.

With the Buffalo Bisons, Mantiply posted a 3.45 ERA across 14 appearances, striking out 19 batters in 15.2 innings while not issuing a single walk. 

His strong command and improved results were enough for the Blue Jays to give him another look this spring as the club searches for reliable left-handed bullpen options behind Brendon Little and Eric Lauer.

The Blue Jays are coming off a strong stretch as one of the American League’s top contenders and continue to build pitching depth around a roster that expects to compete deep into October. 

If Mantiply can rediscover the form that once made him an All-Star, the veteran could become a useful left-handed option out of the bullpen in 2026.

Photo Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images