Blue Jays reliever Chad Green named finalist for MLBPA’s Comeback Player Award

Starting with Green, the former Yankee signed with the Blue Jays before the start of the 2023 season with a very confusing contract. That’s because he underwent Tommy John surgery during the 2022 season.

Green returned towards the end of the 2023 season, posting a 5.25 ERA and a 2.67 FIP in 12 innings pitched. The Blue Jays selected his two-year option and Green rewarded them with a 3.21 ERA and a 4.29 FIP in 53.1 innings pitched, with a 21.9 K% and 6.7 BB%.

Heading into the beginning of September, Green had a 1.61 ERA and a 4.04 FIP in 44.2 innings pitched, along with a 23.1 K% and a 6.5 BB%. However, he was hit around quite a bit in September, posting an 11.42 ERA in the final month of the season.

With that being said, Green became the de facto closer with Yimi García being traded and Jordan Romano going down with an injury. The 33-year-old picked up a career-high 17 saves in 20 opportunities, along with seven holds earlier in the season. He’ll be a big part of the bullpen in 2025.

In the American League, Green is up against Garrett Crochet, who has a similar path to Green the last three seasons, and Tyler O’Neill.

The Curt Flood Award is given to a former player “who in the image of Flood demonstrated a selfless, longtime devotion to the Players Association and advancement of Palyers’ rights”, according to the announcement Tweet.

Winfield spent a season with the Jays in 1992, helping the team capture the first World Series in franchise history. It was a successful season for the then 40-year-old, as he slashed .290/.377/.491 with 26 home runs in 670 plate appearances. He currently serves as the executive director of the MLB Players Association.

The other nominee is Scott Sanderson, who tragically passed away from cancer in April 2019 at the age of 62.