Intriguing pitcher with limited big league success added to Blue Jays pitching depth

With pitching being one of the main focuses of the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason, as seen in their recruitment of Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Chase Lee and Tyler Rogers, the Blue Jays struck again to further bolster their pitching depth. On Wednesday, Toronto signed left-hander Josh Fleming to a minor league deal that came with an invite to spring training. 

Blue Jays fans might be familiar with Fleming as he spent his first four seasons in the majors with the Blue Jays’ division rivals Tampa Bay Rays before spending his past two years with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners organizations. He had shown some promise coming up through the Rays’ renowned pitching factory system.

Intriguing pitcher with limited big league success added to Blue Jays pitching depth

However, the 29-year-old pitcher has since shown limited success so far in the big leagues, compiling a less-than-stellar 4.77 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, giving up 135 earned runs including 33 home runs along with 161 strikeouts in 254.1 career innings. 

In 2025, things sure didn’t go Fleming’s way as he actually spent his entire season in the minor leagues with the Mariners Triple-A affiliate Tacoma Rainiers. With the Rainiers, he posted a 5-5 record with a 4.91 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, giving up 100 hits with 29 walks and 44 strikeouts in 84.1 innings pitched over 47 appearances. It represented his first season out of the majors since before 2020.

What likely intrigued the Blue Jays in taking a flyer on the former fifth round pick from the 2017 MLB Draft is the fact that Fleming has shown the ability to pitch as both a starter and reliever throughout his professional baseball career. His 80 career MLB games has included 25 starts, which means he could potentially be a valuable depth swingman. Although Fleming has been a bit more effective as a reliever, amassing a 12-5 record with a 4.00 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, with 80 strikeouts in 139.2 total innings over 55 relief appearances.

In addition, the 29-year-old pitcher would give the Blue Jays another potential lefty on their roster, an area in which they severely lack heading into 2026. The Blue Jays have added a few players of this ilk this offseason, guys who have experience at the major leagues as both a starter and reliever, but guys who have found middling success. Last month the Blue Jays brought in Connor Seabold. In December it was Michael Plassmeyer.

If Blue Jays pitching guru Pete Walker can work his magic and somehow help Fleming unlock his potential once again, he could become the latest low-risk, high-reward value add for the Blue Jays when all is said and done.