You can take the player out of the Blue Jays, but you can never take the Ex-Blue Jay out of the player!
Mister Ex here with your weekly roundup of former Toronto Blue Jays. The week’s most dazzling bats came from ex‑Jay Randal Grichuk, who posted a sparkling .444 average and a 1.167 OPS in five games, and Ty France, who hit .429 with a .909 OPS while driving in six runs for San Diego. Teoscar Hernández added a solid .304 average and .942 OPS, and Otto Lopez contributed a respectable .233 clip with solid speed. On the mound, former Toronto arms shone as Matthew Boyd and Eric Lauer each posted a pristine 0.00 ERA over seven and six innings respectively, while Trevor Richards tossed a clean five‑inning, zero‑earned‑run effort and reliever Bryan Baker notched three saves without surrendering a run.
Looking at the campaign as a whole, the most prodigious hitter among the ex‑Blue Jays is Ty France, whose .889 OPS tops the list, closely followed by Otto Lopez’s .833 OPS, while the ace of the former Jays’ pitching corps is Bryan Baker, who has compiled a 1.45 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 31 saves to date.
The week also saw Santiago Espinal released by the Texas Rangers after a brief stint, and former All‑Star Alek Manoah cut loose by the Angels following a disastrous Triple‑A run. The most headline‑grabbing deal was the trade of veteran right‑hander Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs, sending the two‑time All‑Star to Wrigley Field, while the Blue Jays also moved Tommy Nance to the Minnesota Twins.
Next week the Blue Jays will travel to the Houston Astros, then the Chicago Cubs—where they may square off against ex‑Jay arms Matthew Boyd, Trent Thornton and Josh Fleming—and finally the Philadelphia Phillies, where former teammate Steward Berroa could appear for the Phils.
| Name | Position | JGP | Ex since | GP | AB | H | BB | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | RC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randal Grichuk | Designated Hitter | 479 | 2021 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .444 | .500 | .667 | 1.167 | 3.0 | |
| Rob Refsnyder | Designated Hitter | 32 | 2017 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .222 | .300 | .667 | .967 | 1.8 | |
| Brian Serven | Catcher | 28 | 2024 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .250 | .333 | .625 | .958 | 1.7 | |
| Teoscar Hernández | Outfielder | 609 | 2022 | 6 | 23 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .304 | .333 | .609 | .942 | 4.7 | |
| Ali Sánchez | Catcher | 8 | 2025 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .333 | .333 | .583 | .916 | 2.3 | |
| Ty France | First Base | 37 | 2025 | 6 | 21 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .429 | .480 | .429 | .909 | 4.1 | |
| Marcus Semien | Second Base | 162 | 2021 | 7 | 21 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .286 | .348 | .429 | .777 | 3.1 | |
| Luke Maile | Catcher | 159 | 2019 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .666 | 0.3 | |
| Alan Roden | Outfielder | 43 | 2025 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .222 | .364 | .222 | .586 | 0.7 | |
| Otto Lopez | Shortstop | 9 | 2022 | 7 | 30 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .233 | .226 | .333 | .559 | 2.3 | |
| Daulton Varsho | Outfielder | 464 | 2026 | 6 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .182 | .250 | .273 | .523 | 1.5 | |
| Bo Bichette | Third Base | 748 | 2025 | 7 | 29 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .207 | .200 | .241 | .441 | 1.4 | |
| Gabriel Moreno | Catcher | 25 | 2022 | 6 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | .115 | .207 | .231 | .438 | 1.1 | |
| Tyler Heineman | Catcher | 132 | 2026 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .100 | .100 | .100 | .200 | 0.1 | |
| Leo Jiménez | Third Base | 81 | 2025 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 | |
| Spencer Horwitz | First Base | 112 | 2024 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 |
| Name | JGP | Ex since | GP | GS | IP | W | L | ERA | K | BB | HR | WHIP | S | HLD | RP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nate Pearson | 93 | 2024 | 2 | 0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 | |
| Jordan Romano | 231 | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0.5 | |
| Eric Lauer | 36 | 2026 | 1 | 1 | 6.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0.33 | 0 | 0 | 3.2 | |
| Trevor Richards | 195 | 2024 | 4 | 0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0.60 | 0 | 0 | 2.7 | |
| Seranthony Domínguez | 24 | 2025 | 3 | 0 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.67 | 0 | 0 | 1.6 | |
| Jeff Hoffman | 122 | 2026 | 4 | 0 | 4.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 0 | 1 | 2.1 | |
| Tommy Nance | 82 | 2026 | 2 | 0 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 0 | 1 | 0.6 | |
| Matthew Boyd | 2 | 2015 | 1 | 1 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0.86 | 0 | 0 | 3.7 | |
| Bryan Baker | 1 | 2021 | 3 | 0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1.00 | 3 | 0 | 1.6 | |
| Jordan Hicks | 25 | 2023 | 3 | 1 | 2.2 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1.13 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | |
| Justin Bruihl | 15 | 2025 | 3 | 0 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.20 | 0 | 0 | 1.7 | |
| Brandon Eisert | 3 | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.29 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 | |
| Hayden Juenger | 2 | 2026 | 4 | 0 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.38 | 0 | 0 | 2.2 | |
| Tim Mayza | 352 | 2024 | 3 | 0 | 2.2 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1.50 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | |
| Ryan Yarbrough | 12 | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0.1 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.00 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | |
| Robbie Ray | 37 | 2021 | 1 | 1 | 6.0 | 1 | 0 | 1.50 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0.83 | 0 | 0 | 2.2 | |
| Kevin Gausman | 148 | 2026 | 1 | 1 | 5.2 | 1 | 0 | 1.59 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1.76 | 0 | 0 | 1.8 | |
| Steven Matz | 29 | 2021 | 3 | 0 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 | 2.08 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0.46 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | |
| Jacob Waguespack | 27 | 2020 | 3 | 0 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 | 2.08 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0.92 | 0 | 1 | 1.2 | |
| Anthony Kay | 28 | 2022 | 2 | 2 | 11.2 | 1 | 1 | 2.31 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1.20 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | |
| Josh Walker | 3 | 2025 | 3 | 0 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 | 5.40 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1.80 | 0 | 0 | -0.3 | |
| Thomas Pannone | 49 | 2019 | 1 | 1 | 3.0 | 0 | 1 | 6.00 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1.67 | 0 | 0 | -0.4 | |
| Brock Stewart | 10 | 2019 | 1 | 0 | 1.1 | 0 | 1 | 6.75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.75 | 0 | 0 | -0.4 | |
| Trent Thornton | 108 | 2023 | 3 | 0 | 2.1 | 1 | 1 | 7.71 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3.00 | 0 | 1 | -0.9 | |
| Foster Griffin | 1 | 2022 | 1 | 1 | 5.1 | 0 | 1 | 10.13 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2.06 | 0 | 0 | -3.3 | |
| Adam Macko | 22 | 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 13.50 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.50 | 0 | 1 | -0.9 | |
| Paxton Schultz | 13 | 2025 | 2 | 0 | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 16.20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.00 | 0 | 0 | -2.4 |
| Ex-Blue Jay | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jul 27 | Mets Announce Marcus Semien Decision Before Braves Series ▼ | Marcus Semien |
| Marcus Semien was reinstated into the Mets’ starting lineup for the series against the Atlanta Braves after pinching hit a three‑run home run in the prior win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking a solid but not extraordinary contribution. | ||
| Jul 29 | Toronto Blue Jays Former All-Star Player Released by New MLB Team ▼ | Santiago Espinal |
| Santiago Espinal, a former Toronto Blue Jays All-Star, was released by the Texas Rangers after being signed to a minor‑league deal earlier in the season, allowing him to sign with any MLB team. | ||
| Jul 29 | Angels release former All-Star Alek Manoah after rough stretch in... ▼ | Alek Manoah |
| Former All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah was released by the Los Angeles Angels following a disastrous stint in Triple-A, where he posted a 24.23 ERA over five starts, allowing 24 hits, 21 walks, five hit batters, and five home runs in just 13 innings. | ||
| Jul 29 | Brewers Recall Thomas Pannone From Triple-A ▼ | Thomas Pannone |
| Thomas Pannone earned a promotion to the Milwaukee Brewers’ major‑league roster for his first start since 2023 after a strong Triple‑A season and a lengthy comeback from injury, marking another step in his winding professional career. | ||
| Jul 29 | Angels End Experiment, Unconditionally Release Alek Manoah - Yaho... ▼ | Alek Manoah |
| The Los Angeles Angels have released starting pitcher Alek Manoah after a poor performance stretch in Triple-A, ending his one-year, $1.95 million contract with the team. | ||
| Jul 30 | Eric Lauer understands Dodgers trade deadline rumors ▼ | Eric Lauer |
| Eric Lauer delivered a six‑inning, one‑hit shutout in the Dodgers' 4‑2 win over the Seattle Mariners, and he expressed a desire to stay in Los Angeles despite speculation that he could be traded before the August 3 deadline. | ||
| Jul 30 | Angels To Trade Chase Silseth, Logan O'Hoppe To Rangers ▼ | Danny Jansen |
| Danny Jansen was moved from the 40‑man roster to the 60‑day injured list, reflecting his ongoing forearm strain situation, though no further specifics about his condition or timeline were given. | ||
| Jul 30 | Rangers Release Santiago Espinal - MLB Trade Rumors ▼ | Santiago Espinal |
| Santiago Espinal was released by the Texas Rangers after a brief stint in their organization, having signed a minor league contract earlier in the month. The release marks another roster change in his professional career. | ||
| Jul 31 | Robbie Ray shines for perhaps last time with Giants as deadline n... ▼ | Robbie Ray |
| The piece notes that Robbie Ray, the 2021 AL Cy Young winner now with the Giants, has posted an impressive 3.08 ERA overall and a 1.65 ERA over his last ten outings, implying he may be delivering a final notable performance for San Francisco as the trade deadline approaches. | ||
| Jul 31 | Sneaky Brewers Trade Candidates For An Infield Bench Role - Brewe... ▼ | Santiago Espinal |
| Santiago Espinal was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in late May and then signed a minor‑league contract with the Texas Rangers just before Independence Day, where he is now playing for Round Rock and posting a .250/.300/.306 line over 36 at‑bats. | ||
| Aug 1 | Toronto Blue Jays 6-Year Player Signs Deal with Cleveland Guardia... ▼ | Ryan Borucki |
| Former Toronto Blue Jays left‑hander Ryan Borwin has agreed to a minor‑league deal with the Cleveland Guardians, marking a new step in his professional career after his time with the Giants and Blue Jays. | ||
| Aug 1 | Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays Game Story, Scores/Highlights... ▼ | Trevor Richards |
| Trevor Richards was mentioned as the pitcher who secured the Chicago White Sox's 6-1 victory, indicating he contributed to the win but without any highlighted exceptional performance. | ||
| Aug 2 | Pirates Roster Moves: Horwitz Returns From IL, Doval Activated | ... ▼ | Spencer Horwitz |
| Spencer Horwitz was activated from the injured list after missing time with a left hamstring strain and a concussion, returning to the Pirates' active roster as the everyday first baseman. | ||
| Aug 2 | Matt Chapman injury return delayed as Giants infielders dwindle –... ▼ | Matt Chapman |
| Matt Chapman remains sidelined with an abdominal strain that has kept him out for 26 games; he reports continued discomfort while running and will be re‑evaluated day by day, leaving his return to the Giants' lineup uncertain. | ||
| Aug 2 | Former Blue Jays Pitcher Eric Lauer Thriving With Dodgers - Yahoo... ▼ | Eric Lauer |
| Eric Lauer was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 17 for cash, and since joining the Dodgers he has posted a 2.96 ERA, a 1.1 bWAR, and a 5-0 record, with the team winning every game he has pitched for them. | ||
| Aug 3 | Chicago Cubs acquire RHP Kevin Gausman from Toronto Blue Jays ▼ | Kevin Gausman |
| Kevin Gausman, a 35‑year‑old right‑hander, was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for two minor‑league players, providing the Cubs with a veteran starter who has postseason experience, while he remains under the final year of his five‑year, $110 million contract with the Blue Jays. | ||
| Aug 3 | Kevin Gausman traded from Blue Jays to Cubs ▼ | Kevin Gausman |
| The piece details Kevin Gausman's recent trade to Chicago, noting his past achievements with the Blue Jays, his pending free‑agent status, and his recent performance in the 2025 postseason, while also listing the players the Blue Jays receive in return. | ||
| Aug 3 | Cubs acquire Kevin Gausman ahead of MLB trade deadline – NBC Chic... ▼ | Kevin Gausman |
| Kevin Gausman, a two-time All-Star starting pitcher, was acquired by the Chicago Cubs from the Toronto Blue Jays as the MLB trade deadline approaches, providing the Cubs with additional starting pitching depth. | ||
| Aug 3 | Minnesota Twins trade deadline: Any more moves coming? - KSTP.com... ▼ | Tommy Nance |
| The Minnesota Twins completed a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire reliever Tommy Nance, adding him to their pitching staff. | ||
| Aug 3 | Giants to Trade Pitcher Robbie Ray to Padres in Latest Deadline D... ▼ | Robbie Ray |
| Robbie Ray, who missed the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery and returned in 2024 with solid performance (5-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his last seven starts), has been dealt by the Giants to the Padres as part of a deadline trade, marking a notable change in his team affiliation. | ||
| Aug 3 | MLB news: Giants trade Robbie Ray to the Padres | McCovey Chronic... ▼ | Robbie Ray |
| Robbie Ray, a left‑handed starting pitcher and former Cy Young winner, was traded by the San Francisco Giants to the San Diego Padres in exchange for right‑handed pitcher Miguel Mendez and shortstop Joniel Hernandez, with the Giants covering half of Ray’s remaining salary for the season. | ||
| Ex-Blue Jay | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28 | Baltimore Orioles sent RHP Chris Bassitt on a rehab assignment to Norfolk Tides. | ASG | Chris Bassitt |
| Jul 28 | Seattle Mariners activated DH Rob Refsnyder from the 10-day injured list. | SC | Rob Refsnyder |
| Jul 28 | Round Rock Express released 3B Santiago Espinal. | REL | Santiago Espinal |
| Jul 28 | Seattle Mariners designated 1B Buddy Kennedy for assignment. | DES | Buddy Kennedy |
| Jul 29 | Los Angeles Angels sent LHP Yusei Kikuchi on a rehab assignment to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. | ASG | Yusei Kikuchi |
| Jul 29 | Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of LHP Thomas Pannone from Nashville Sounds. | SE | Thomas Pannone |
| Jul 29 | Texas Rangers transferred C Danny Jansen from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right forearm strain. | SC | Danny Jansen |
| Jul 29 | Salt Lake Bees released RHP Alek Manoah. | REL | Alek Manoah |
| Jul 29 | Pittsburgh Pirates optioned LHP Brandon Eisert to Indianapolis Indians. | OPT | Brandon Eisert |
| Jul 29 | Washington Nationals optioned RHP Paxton Schultz to Rochester Red Wings. | OPT | Paxton Schultz |
| Jul 31 | Leones de Yucatan placed RHP Esmil Rogers on the reserve list. | SC | Esmil Rogers |
| Jul 31 | Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Brock Stewart on the 15-day injured list. Right shoulder discomfort. | SC | Brock Stewart |
| Jul 31 | Leones de Yucatan placed RHP Miguel Castro on the reserve list. | SC | Miguel Castro |
| Jul 31 | Milwaukee Brewers designated LHP Thomas Pannone for assignment. | DES | Thomas Pannone |
| Aug 1 | Philadelphia Phillies sent RF Steward Berroa outright to Lehigh Valley IronPigs. | OUT | Steward Berroa |
| Aug 2 | Toronto Blue Jays traded RHP Kevin Gausman to Chicago Cubs. | TR | Kevin Gausman |
| Aug 2 | Seattle Mariners traded RHP Luis Castillo to Chicago White Sox for RHP Seranthony Domínguez, C Boston Smith, RF Nolan Jones and cash. | TR | Seranthony Domínguez |
| Aug 2 | San Francisco Giants transferred LHP Matt Gage from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Left elbow strain. | SC | Matt Gage |
| Aug 2 | San Francisco Giants claimed 1B Buddy Kennedy off waivers from Seattle Mariners. | CLW | Buddy Kennedy |
| Aug 2 | Pittsburgh Pirates activated 1B Spencer Horwitz from the 10-day injured list. | SC | Spencer Horwitz |
| ex-Blue Jays | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aug 3 - Aug 5 | at the Houston Astros | Joey Loperfido |
| Aug 6 - | at the Chicago Cubs | Matthew Boyd Kevin Gausman Trent Thornton Josh Fleming |
| Aug 7 - Aug 9 | at the Philadelphia Phillies | Steward Berroa Tim Mayza |
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