Matt Waldron DFA'd by Blue Jays to make room for former Red Sox prospect

Matt Waldron's time with the Toronto Blue Jays may already be over. The 29-year-old right-hander was picked up off waivers from the San Diego Padres at the beginning of the month and made his Blue Jays' debut on Aug. 8. But after only four appearances in which he's allowed five runs over 4.1 innings, Waldron has been Designated for Assignment.

The Blue Jays made the move on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 19) after Waldron allowed two earned runs on four hits in two innings in Toronto's 10-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Taking his place is Brendan Cellucci, a 28-year-old left-hander who has not played at the MLB level before.

He was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round of the 2019 MLB draft and has spent the last seven years in Boston's farm system. Cellucci reached Triple-A for the first time in 2024 and has pitched at that level for the majority of the last two seasons.

Toronto signed Cellucci as a minor league free agent this past offseason and he's pitched 39 games out of the Buffalo Bisons' bullpen. In 44 innings, he's posted a 3.68 ERA and 4.81 FIP. He has 44 strikeouts with 21 walks, and has allowed 19 runs (18 earned) while hitters have generated a .297 BABIP against him with a .242 batting average.

Cellucci gives the Blue Jays a third lefty option in the bullpen, along side Mason Fluharty and Brendon Little. Fluharty has had a really good season and has been exceptional as of late. He's posted a 3.78 ERA with a 3.70 FIP overall in 50 innings, which includes 66 games (three starts). In the month of August he has yet to allow a run or a hit in seven innings, with four strikeouts.

Little, was a lightning rod for the Blue Jays' early season woes. He allowed 11 runs (10 earned) in his first 3.2 innings pitched this season and was sent down to Buffalo. Since being recalled on July 20, however, he's been much more effective. In 11.2 innings he's punched out 16 batters and has allowed just four runs (three earned), though he's still having control issues, giving up 11 free passes.

Blue Jays looking for depth any where they can get it

At this point of the season, with every game feeling like it could make or break their playoff chances, the Blue Jays are going to be looking everywhere and anywhere for help. They may have boosted their rotation at the deadline by landing José Soriano, but they also traded away Jeff Hoffman, who had been effective enough in a set-up role.

Without Hoffman, the Blue Jays still have an elite backend, spearheaded by Louis Varland, while Tyler Rogers and Spencer Miles have picked up the slack. But those three guys can't pitch every single night, and that's now giving other guys opportunities.

First it was Ricky Tiedemann, who made his MLB debut, pitching 1.2 innings against the New York Yankees on Saturday. Now, it looks like it's Cellucci's turn to try and provide the bullpen with some innings whenever they may need it.

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