Blue Jays release Orelvis Martinez after clearing waivers

Former top prospect Orelvis Martinez is headed to free agency.

The 23-year-old was released by the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, per the organization’s transactions log. Once he clears release waivers, he’ll officially become a free agent and will be eligible to sign with any team.

Martinez cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week, with the club needing to activate Alek Manoah from the 60-day injured list. He was placed on the minor-league seven-day IL earlier this month, retroactive to Sep. 2, meaning he couldn’t be outrighted to triple-A once he went unclaimed.

It likely marks a disappointing end with the Blue Jays for the former consensus top 100 prospect. While the franchise could still technically bring him back on a minor-league deal, that outcome seems unlikely based on how poorly things went this season.

A change of scenery is likely needed following a horrendous 2025 campaign with the Bisons, during which he slashed .176/.288/.348 with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs, striking out nearly a third of the time over 99 games. Additionally, he posted a miserable 73 wRC+ (100 league average).

Those poor results are a far cry from the 28 home runs and .496 SLG that Martinez posted in 125 games split between double-A and triple-A in 2023. But everything seemed to fall downhill since his 80-game PED suspension last season, ending his one-game stint in the majors.

Along with his offensive craft enduring a significant decline this season, the young infielder’s defensive position remained a major focal point throughout the summer, with many evaluators believing his glove had also taken a notable step back. That surely made his hitting woes even tougher to justify.

Another element hanging over Martinez’s uncertain future was that he would’ve been out of options in 2026, meaning he would’ve had to make Toronto’s Opening Day roster or be subject to waivers. In the end, management opted to make that decision now rather than kicking that can into the off-season.

Once healthy, Martinez will be looking to recapture his power-hitting prospect shine as a minor-league free agent this winter.