Blue Jays: Former pitcher attempting MLB comeback

Former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Mark Lowe is attempting an MLB comeback after not appearing in the majors since 2016 with the Detroit Tigers.

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Mark Lowe at the 2015 trade deadline from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitcher Rob Rasmussen and a pair of minor leaguers. Lowe cashed in on a successful campaign with the Mariners and Blue Jays hitting the free agent market after the Jays postseason run. The reliever made 23 regular season appearances and another six in the postseason for the Blue Jays.

The reliever signed a 2 year/$11 million dollar pact with the Tigers, however, he was never able to duplicate his 2015 output faltering with the Tigers. Lowe sported an inflated 7.11 earned run average in 54 relief appearances for Detroit in 2016 and was eventually released before the beginning of the 2017 season.

WATCH MLB ON ESPN: Get your free 7-day trial of ESPN

Lowe would toil in Triple-A for both the White Sox and Mariners in 2017 duplicating his previous season’s performance with a devilish 6.66 earned run average in 40 appearances. Last season, Lowe latched on with the Los Angeles Dodgers but was subsequently released before the start of the season and has not pitched since.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the 35-year old is willing to accept a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training or explore opportunities overseas.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King
• Toronto Blue Jays: Has the Shift Killed Kevin Gausman’s 2022 Cy Young Hopes?
• Blue Jays: What Yusei Kikuchi’s latest stumble should mean

The former 5th round selection in the 2004 amateur draft owns a 10-27 record with a 4.22 earned run average including six saves in 382 games. Lowe has toed the rubber for six different MLB teams while earning over $16 million dollars to date.

Ironically in 2010, Lowe and Cliff Lee were dealt by the Mariners to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a package of players including Justin Smoak. The first baseman was a former 1st round pick of the Rangers, however, he was shipped off to Seattle following his rookie campaign in Texas.

The former Blue Jays hurler will definitely have an uphill climb to rejuvenate his career back to any sort of relevance but you can’t blame him for trying. Best of luck to Mark on his quest back to the majors.