Blue Jays: Tommy Nance makes the Opening Day roster, Angel Bastardo left off

Nance had no remaining minor league options entering Spring Training, so the Blue Jays were cognizant of potentially losing him to another club should Toronto not place him on their Opening Day roster. His 2025 season gave the Blue Jays good reasons to keep him – Nance posted a 1.99 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, and no home runs allowed through 30 appearances. He worked his ERA down to 0.82 by the end of August, and because of the reliability he had provided, John Schneider threw him in a save situation during the series opener against the Reds.

Nance’s curveball was his best pitch last year, generating a 40.9% whiff rate and just a .159 opponents’ batting average. His sinker and slider, however, were both hit pretty well by opposing hitters, including expected batting averages over .300 for both pitches.

Bastardo was one of the several storylines heading into Blue Jays camp in the spring.

A Rule 5 selection in 2024, he missed most of the ’24 and all of the ’25 campaigns recovering from Tommy John surgery. Through seven appearances this spring, Bastardo allowed four earned runs over 7 2/3 innings, including seven walks and five strikeouts.

Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet broke down the details of Bastardo’s situation very cleanly on his above X post. Since Bastardo was a Rule 5 pick, he will be placed on waivers for other teams to claim. Should he go unclaimed, he will be offered back to the Red Sox at a $50,000 cost. If the Red Sox aren’t interested, Bastardo could be sent to Toronto’s minor league system. Per Zwelling, there are also scenarios where the Blue Jays could trade him to another organization as a Rule 5 pick, or they could also work out a deal with the Red Sox to acquire him.

To make a long story short, the Bastardo’s stint with the Blue Jays may not be over just yet. Still just 23 years of age, Bastrado has not appeared in a level north of double-A; an organization will surely take a chance on him somewhere.

Nance’s spot being announced leaves just one more vacancy in Toronto’s bullpen. Candidates remaining include lefty Adam Macko, Chase Lee, and Spencer Miles, Toronto’s Rule 5 pick last season. They could also fill this spot with an external addition should the opportunity present itself. Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reported that Schneider will make this decision tomorrow morning.