Blue Jays lose ex-Dodgers reliever in official Tyler Rogers roster move

When the Winter Meetings started, the Toronto Blue Jays had 37 players on the active roster. Less than a week later, those roster spots have been filled thanks to a multitude of moves. Cody Ponce was officially added, as the Blue Jays announced the signing of the former MVP of the Korean Baseball Organization for a three-year $30 million deal.

The Rule 5 Draft brought in right-handed pitcher Spencer Miles, who was picked up from the San Francisco Giants. Then over the weekend the Blue Jays announced two subsequent moves; a trade for relief pitcher Chase Lee and the signing of another relief pitcher Tyler Rogers. For those keeping score at home, that brings the total number of players on the Blue Jays roster to 41 players.

Something had to give and the Blue Jays announced what that something was on Monday (Dec. 15)

Seldom used lefty becomes latest Blue Jays roster cut as bullpen revamp continues

As Rogers officially joined the roster as announced by the Blue Jays, they designated left-hander Justin Bruihl for assignment. Bruihl joined the Blue Jays on a minor league deal in March after spending 2024 in both the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations. Bruihl was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and he made his MLB debut in 2021 at the age of 24.

Bruihl posted decent numbers while with the Dodgers. Between 2021-2023 he appeared in 65 games and posted a 3.65 ERA in 66.2 innings but accumulated just 43 strikeouts and a K/BB rate of 2.05. In August of 2023, the Colorado Rockies purchased Bruihl from LA and he finished the year with the Rockies before being granted free agency that offseason.

For the Blue Jays in 2025, they were a team that was short on left-handed pitching, and it seemed like Bruihl's call up in June would be an invitation for him to get an extended look with the club.

But it didn't happen that way. Bruihl only managed to throw 13.2 innings in 15 appearances and racked up an ERA of 5.27. He wasn't particularly effective against either right-handed or left-handed hitters. Righties hit .385/.448/.462 off of him while lefties were .290/.389/.484 in their at-bats. He also faltered in clutch situations as hitters were 5-for-10 against him when batting with Runners In Scoring Position and two outs, allowing seven earned runs in the process.

Things started fairly well for Bruihl. He pitched 2.2 innings over his first two appearances, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out four hitters in back to back games in June, but was sent back down to the minors. He was recalled at the beginning of July and was again, fairly effective through his first seven appearances, giving up two runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings with six strikeouts, but his next outing was a mess.

He allowed three earned runs on four hits and retired just one batter. He was sent down a few days later, recalled for three games in August, sent down again and re-emerged for one inning of relief in September.

His last appearance was in Game 2 of the ALDS in which he allowed three hits, including a home run to the Yankees in the sixth inning. That was the game in which Trey Yesavage was pitching a no hitter through 5.1 innings, but was lifted by Manager John Schneider. Bruihl came in, immediately gave up a hit and the shutout was gone shortly after, although the Blue Jays were ahead 12-0 at that time.

This move now leaves Mason Fluharty, Brendon Little and Eric Lauer as the lone southpaws on the 40-man roster with big league experience. Adam Macko and Ricky Tiedemann are also on the 40-man and could make for a push for a big league debut at some point this season.