Blue Jays sign Joe Mantiply to minor-league deal

Mantiply, 34, was drafted in the 27th round of the 2013 draft by the Detroit Tigers. After pitching two and two-thirds innings with the team in 2016, he spent another two seasons in the minor leagues before pitching in three innings with the New York Yankees in 2019. He signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks shortly before the COVID pandemic, and his career took off with the Diamondbacks.

The left-handed pitcher threw just two and one-third innings in 2020, but became a regular with the Diamondbacks in 2021, where he had a 3.40 ERA and 2.94 FIP in 39.2 innings pitched. In 2022, Mantiply authored a 2.85 ERA and 2.83 FIP, with a 25.1 K% and 2.5 BB%. Thanks to his strong performance, the Danville, Virginia, native made the 2022 All-Star Game.

Mantiply appeared in just 35 games in 2023, posting a 4.62 ERA and 3.84 FIP in 39 innings pitched, with a 17.8 K% and 5.7 BB%. He also pitched in nine games during the Diamondbacks’ World Series run, where he had a 4.70 ERA and 3.26 FIP in 7.2 innings pitched.

The 34-year-old had a solid season in 2024, finishing the year with a 3.92 ERA and 2.51 FIP in 59.2 innings pitched, with a 21.8 K% and 7.4 BB%. Unfortunately, he hasn’t found the same success in 2025, as he’s given up 17 earned runs in just 9.2 innings pitched for a 15.83 ERA and 9.39 FIP. He was released by the Diamondbacks in early June.

When he’s at his best, Mantiply does a great job of keeping the ball in the ballpark, posting a sub-1 HR/9 in all but the 2025 season since becoming a regular back in 2021. This season, he had a sky-high 4.66 HR/9, giving up five home runs. For context, from 2021 until 2024, Mantiply gave up just 12 home runs.

Mantiply was sent to the Florida Complex League to get up to speed. It’s another depth arm for a Blue Jays bullpen that desperately needs depth. Ryan Burr was recently placed on the 60-day Injured List, while Yimi García and Nick Sandlin are on the 15-day Injured List.

It’d be nice for Mantiply to find his 2022 form once again, but his velocity is down nearly three mph since that season.