Analyzing the Blue Jays' bullpen options at this point in spring training

The Toronto Blue Jays pulled a huge makeover of their bullpen in the offseason after a disastrous 2024, which led to them having most of the spots set for the upcoming season — until there were some unexpected happenings in recent weeks. Both Erik Swanson and Ryan Burr sustained injuries over the last two weeks, which has opened up some spots in the bullpen prior to Opening Day.

The players who have already locked up a spot likely are Jeff Hoffman, Nick Sandlin Yimi García, Chad Green and Brendon Little (a lefty specialist). Yariel Rodríguez also seems ticketed to the bullpen thanks to how Bowden Francis pitched at the end of last season.

So barring any injuries, the Blue Jays' rotation should consist also of Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer and Francis.

Lastly Ryan Yarbrough seems to have a spot sewn up thanks to his strong spring after he was brought back on a minor league deal at the end of February.

So that leaves just one spot that's up for grabs. The Blue Jays already trimmed down the potential candidates when they sent Easton Lucas, Nick Robertson and Adam Macko to the minors, but there's still some players left in camp trying to win that spot.

Analyzing the Blue Jays bullpen options at this point in spring training

Josh Walker

The Jays signed Walker to a one-year contract this offseason after spending his entire career in the New York Mets organization. His career MLB marks of a 6.45 ERA and 1.66 WHIP aren't too attractive, but his career minor league ERA of 3.99 and WHIP of 1.22 is what likely caught the eye of the Jays’ brass.

So far this spring, Walker has posted an 0-1 record with a 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, with six strikeouts in six innings of work. His stuff and the strikeout ability are definitely there, but he will need to show a little more consistency going forward.

Zach Pop

After stringing together two consecutive forgettable seasons in 2023 and '24, Pop is looking for a chance at redemption in 2025. He'll be looking to rediscover his dominant form he had in after he joined the Blue Jays at the trade deadline. In his three seasons with the Jays, Pop has posted a 5-5 record with a 4.89 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 81 innings pitched.

This spring, the 28-year-old right-handed reliever has gone 1-0 with two holds and one save with a solid 3.00 ERA in six innings.

If he can avoid giving up contact — he's given up more than a hit per inning to date — Pop could be on his way to regaining a permanent spot on the Jays’ big league roster.

Pop also doesn't have any minor league options remaining, which might give him a longer leash than he'd normally have.

Tommy Nance

Nance became a part of Toronto's makeshift bullpen core last year after he was acquired at the trade deadline. He showed some signs of brilliance at times, just not on a consistent basis. In the end, Nance went 0-3 record with a 4.09 ERA in 22 innings with Toronto.

Nance hasn't had a great spring. In four games, he's amassed a 5.40 ERA and 2.10 WHIP with five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings of work. Nance is also out of options, which could play a role in determining if his future is with the Blue Jays. But as of now, Nance's outlook doesn’t appear to be too bright.

Mason Fluharty

Fluharty is in camp as a Non-Roster Invitee and he's certainly made the most of his opportunity. In six games to date, Fluharty has a tidy 1.69 ERA with eight strikeouts in just 5 1/3 innings.

The 23-year-old left-hander is coming off a solid 2024 campaign in Triple-A Buffalo where he posted a 5-4 record with a 3.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76 strikeouts in just 67 innings of work. He's gone from High-A to Triple-A in just three years in the Jays’ system and is a dark horse candidate to win a bullpen spot

Dillon Tate

When the Jays learned about Swanson’s injury, they reacted by inking Tate to a one-year contract. Yes, this is the same Tate that Toronto had claimed off of waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Last year, the 30-year-old veteran made four appearances with the Jays and had a 5.40 ERA and 2.10 WHIP. He gave up two earned runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings of work.

Tate has not appeared in a spring training game with the Jays as he builds himself up. But, given his breadth of major league experience with the Orioles, don’t be surprised if Tate rises above his competition and steals the final spot in the bullpen when all is said and done.

Of course, the Blue Jays could also take the external route and sign a veteran reliever like Craig Kimbrel or David Robertson, or they could even go down the trade route.

But regardless of what they do, this will be one battle worth watching as we count down the days until Opening Day.