Blue Jays sign ex-Phillies reliever with unsightly major league ERA

The Toronto Blue Jays recently made the signing of Tyler Rogers official. The 34-year-old was brought in on a three-year $37 million deal that could become a four-year $48 million deal with some vesting options sprinkled into the contract. With Rogers joining the team, and landing on the 40-man roster, a subsequent move had to be made to make room for him.

That move was designating left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl for assignment. An interesting move that leaves the Blue Jays with only three major league left-handed pitchers on the roster who have major league experience. They also have Ricky Tiedemann and Adam Macko on the 40-man roster, who could push for a big league debut at some point in 2026.

But with the designation of Bruihl, the Blue Jays felt a need to supplement that southpaw compliment and they've done that by adding a former Phillies pitcher who had an awful time in the big leagues the last time he was called up.

Blue Jays sign ex-Phillies reliever with unsightly major league ERA

29-year-old Michael Plassmeyer reportedly joined the Blue Jays on a minor league deal and hasn't thrown a pitch in the big leagues since 2023. That stint did not go well for Plassmeyer who gave up 10 runs (nine earned) in 3.2 innings pitched in a one game outing for the Phillies. Plassmeyer got the start that day against the New York Mets and after getting through a three up-three down inning in the first, the wheels fell off for Plassmeyer.

He allowed three runs on two hits in the second, and then allowed five runs on three hits in the third. In the fourth, with the team down 8-4, Plasmeyer had two outs, with a runner on before Francisco Lindor took him deep, the third home run he gave up that day. One batter later, he was replaced by current Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman, and Plassmeyer has ret to return to the big leagues.

Plassmeyer has spent the last two seasons in different organizations. He landed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024 and in 70.1 innings pitched, including 11 starts, Plassmeyer had a really good 11.0 SO/9 rate and a 6.62 K/BB rate with 86 strikeouts and and only 13 walks. But he was also hit hard with 96 hits allowed and a 7.93 ERA.

Last year, he was a part of the Texas Rangers organization, spending the entire season with Triple-A Round Rock and bounced back somewhat by throwing 105.2 innings in 28 games, including 16 starts. He pitched to a 4.93 ERA but his strikeout rate came down a touch to 8.4 SO/9 and his walk rate increased to 2.9 BB/9. However, he allowed 17 home runs over the course of the season.

The Blue Jays likely picked up Plassmeyer for one specific thing. He was good against left-handed hitters in 2025. They hit just .165/.228/.263 with an OPS of .491 in a fairly large sample size. Plassmeyer faced 197 hitters from the left side and allowed just 19 hits and three home runs in those situations, while keeping hitters to a .246 BABIP against.

If Plassmeyer can replicate those numbers in a bullpen role for the Blue Jays, they may have found a dependable depth option for a bullpen that continues to grow it's personnel this offseason.