Blue Jays shockingly option bullpen stalwart to the minors ahead of Shane Bieber’s debut

With huge trade deadline acquisition Shane Bieber set to start for the Toronto Blue Jays this Friday, Toronto needed to make room for him on their current roster. As a result, a pitcher from the current roster was destined to lose their spot, and it's the one not many were expecting.

On Wednesday, the Blue Jays sent reliever Braydon Fisher back down to the minors in preparation of activating Bieber, according to Blue Jays beat reporter Keegan Matheson. Fisher will rejoin the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons, where he began his 2025 campaign. 

Blue Jays surprisingly option bullpen stalwart to the minors ahead of Shane Bieber’s debut

That transaction sure came as a surprise to many Toronto fans. After all, Fisher had been one of the most effective and reliable arms in their bullpen since his callup in early May. In 41 appearances, the 25-year-old right-hander posted a 4-0 record with five holds and only one blown save, along with a solid 3.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in just 38 2/3 total innings pitched. His ERA, WHIP and strikeout rate was among the team’s best in 2025 as well.

The most obvious candidate would have been Mason Fluharty. After a strong start to his 2025 year with the Jays, Fluharty has struggled in recent months which has already resulted in a stint in the minors. Since June 8, the 24-year-old left-hander has compiled a less-than-stellar 7.78 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, while giving up a staggering 17 earned runs and 14 walks in just 19 2/3 innings of work.

On top of that, he has multiple minor league options remaining. But what likely kept his spot secure with the Jays was the fact that he is the only lefty behind Brendon Little in the bullpen. He's also shown the ability to come through in big moments, with his improbable lockdown save against the Los Angeles Dodgers back on August 10. 

Tommy Nance would have been another option for the Jays. But it just so happens that Nance has been having a strong 2025 campaign, perhaps even better than Fisher, since coming off the IL in July. In 14 relief appearances, he has yet to allow a home run while amassing a stellar 1.13 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, together with 19 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched.

The fact that he has no options remaining no doubt made the difference since Toronto would likely have lost Nance through waivers if so. Finally, the Jays wouldn’t dare to move either of their two trade deadline pieces in Louis Varland and Seranthony Domínguez despite a couple of glitches so far in their tenure with the club.

As a result, Fisher became the unlucky player to be sent down for now. However, he also becomes one of the most likely candidates to be called back up once again once September hits.