Dylan Cease developing into workhorse for Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease. Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Dylan Cease developing into workhorse for Blue Jays

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated May 14, 2026 11:54 AM ET

Toronto Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease has been performing like a workhorse.

On the season, Cease is 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA and 1.185 WHIP and 75 strikeouts. His 75 strikeouts rank him second in MLB behind Jacob Misiorowski, who has 80.

In his most recent outing against the Tampa Bay Rays, he went seven innings, giving up three hits and one earned run while striking out nine. He also recorded 12 whiffs with a 38% Called Strikes +Whiffs (CSW).

Cease's strong performance helped the Blue Jays avoid a sweep with a 5-3 walk-off victory.

Dylan Cease has been an A+ signing so far for the #BlueJays.

He’s fit in seamlessly. Almost feels like he’s been a Blue Jay for more than just a month and a half. #BlueJays50 pic.twitter.com/iawMbmit0e
— Daniele Franceschi (@Daniele_Media) May 14, 2026

Dylan Cease emerging as workhorse for Blue Jays

Cease has gone seven innings in three consecutive starts, reestablishing himself as an elite starter and placing himself as an AL Cy Young candidate this season.

His current performance resembles his dominant 2022 season, where he compiled a 14-8 record with a 2.20 ERA. He's been elite at enticing swing-and-misses, ranking in the 96th percentile with a 36.4% whiff rate while posting a 34.6% strikeout rate.

His front-door sinkers against left-handed batters have been a huge weapon for early strikes. He targets the pitch up-and-in around 96-97 mph, and this makes it hard for lefties to remain inside the pitch.

Cease has settled in nicely with the Blue Jays, demonstrating his ability to limit the long ball. Last season, he allowed 21 home runs across 168 innings. This season, he's only allowed one across 52.1 innings of work.

It's been a slow start for the Blue Jays in 2026, but Cease is proving to be an excellent addition to the club.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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