Blue Jays Announce Free Agent Decision on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Feb 7, 2026 12:08 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are heading into the 2026 Major League Baseball season as one of the top teams in baseball. They are coming off a heartbreaking end to last year, as they took home the American League pennant to reach the World Series for the first time since 1993, but fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.

This offseason, general manager Ross Atkins has been active in reloading Toronto's roster to make another deep postseason run in 2026.

The Blue Jays have signed starting right-hander Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract, Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal and starting pitcher Cody Ponce to a three-year deal worth $30 million, among others.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider.© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Despite making a few high-profile additions, the Blue Jays missed out on some of their top targets heading into the 2026 season. Toronto was making headway with one of the biggest names on the market in outfielder Kyle Tucker, who eventually signed with the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers.

Toronto also lost two of its key players from last year in shortstop Bo Bichette, who went to the New York Mets , and relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez, who inked a deal with the Chicago White Sox.

On Saturday, the Blue Jays announced another signing, as they reached a minor-league deal with left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming. This included an invite to spring training.

OFFICIAL: We’ve signed LHP Josh Fleming to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Additionally, we’ve invited RHPs Tanner Andrews and Nate Garkow to Spring Training. pic.twitter.com/8OijZYsiyL
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 7, 2026

Fleming, who was originally taken in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, has spent parts of the past five years in the majors. His last season in the majors was 2024, when he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, making 25 appearances with three starts. He pitched to a 4.02 ERA in 31 1/3 innings, striking out 17 batters with 14 walks. Fleming spent the entire 2025 season in the minor leagues with the Seattle Mariners organization.

While Fleming may not make the opening-day roster for the Blue Jays this season, he is a good, experienced lefty to have if needed in Toronto's bullpen.

The Blue Jays begin spring training games in the Grapefruit League on Feb. 21 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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