Blue Jays claim pitcher Brett de Geus, designate Yerry Rodríguez for assignment

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected de Geus in the 33rd round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Cabrillo College. He spent a few seasons in the Dodgers’ minor-league system and was selected by the Texas Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft in 2020. Here’s what MLB Pipeline had to say about him at the time…

“Los Angeles’ player development staff helped de Geus upgrade his pitches but it may be the Rangers who benefit because they grabbed him in the Rule 5 Draft at the end of 2020. After topping out at 95 mph with a straight fastball in 2018, he now deals a 93-98 mph heater with running action. He also has improved his breaking pitches and now operates with a low-80s curveball with power and depth and an upper-80s slider/cutter.”

After posting an 8.44 ERA over 19 appearances in 2021, the Rangers put de Geus on waivers and he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made 28 appearances with the Diamondbacks through the rest of the season and put up a 6.56 ERA.

The next few seasons saw de Geus bounce around a few different organizations, as he was released by the Diamondbacks in 2022 and signed minor-league contracts with the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Over 11 appearances with the Mariners and Miami Marlins this season, de Geus has thrown nine innings and has allowed five earned runs on 11 hits and two walks. He’s made 36 appearances at the Triple-A level and has a 5.75 ERA.

The Blue Jays acquired Rodríguez from the Texas Rangers earlier this season in exchange for prospect Josh Mollerus. The hard-throwing righty allowed nine earned runs in just four-and-two-thirds innings with the Blue Jays and hasn’t pitched since early August because of an injury.