Blue Jays bring back popular reliever on a minor league contract 

While the Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen struggled last year, it seems like the team's front office felt good about how some of the pieces pitched last year. They showed that sentiment earlier this offseason when they brought Yimi García back and they showed it Thursday by bringing back Ryan Yarbrough on a minor league contract. Yarbrough's deal also includes an invite to big league spring training, per Fansided's Robert Murray.

Yarbrough had been a thorn on the Jays’ side during his time with division rivals Tampa Bay Rays, as he seemingly always put up his best performances against Toronto. He has nine career wins against the Blue Jays, his highest mark against any team.

His relationship with Toronto changed last year, however, when the Blue Jays acquired him at the trade deadline in exchange for popular outfielder Kevin Kiermaier. Yarbrough was Toronto's best reliever down the stretch, as he went 1-0 with a stellar 2.01 ERA and 0.80 WHIP across 31 1/3 innings. He allowed just seven earned runs and seven walks to go along with 26 strikeouts. In doing so, he went from being public enemy number one to Toronto fan favorite in a short period of time.

Yarbrough has a career 4.32 ERA in 768 career innings with the Rays, Royals, Dodgers and Blue Jays. He's recorded three saves in his career and also thrown a complete game. His best season came in 2019 when he went 11-6 with a 4.13 ERA in 28 games with the Rays.

Given the lack of quality arms in Toronto's relief corps heading into 2025, it was surprising the Blue Jays allowed him to walk into free agency, especially since his unique arsenal means he can work as a swingman if needed.

Fortunately, Yarbrough failed to catch on with anyone in the offseason, which allowed for Toronto to reunite with the 33-year-old left-hander. Although it is just a minor league deal, don’t be surprised if Yarbrough makes the team out of spring training and becomes an integral part of the Jays’ pitching staff in 2025.