Former Blue Jay Tim Mayza signs major-league deal with Pirates

Mayza was drafted all the way back in 2013 by the Blue Jays and made his debut in 2017. He appeared in 37 games in 2018, authoring a 3.28 ERA and a 3.36 FIP in 35.2 innings pitched. The left-handed pitcher became a regular with the team in 2019 but left a September game and required Tommy John surgery, missing the entirety of the 2020 season.

When he returned, Mayza became the best left-handed relief pitcher in the Jays organization, posting a 2.67 ERA and a 3.20 FIP in 155 innings pitched from 2021 until 2023. The 2023 season was an especially good season for Mayza, finishing with a 1.52 ERA and a 2.60 FIP in 53.1 innings pitched, allowing just two home runs all season.

Unfortunately, relievers are volatile and Mayza was no different in 2024. Last season, he posted an 8.03 ERA and a 4.91 FIP in 24.2 innings pitched, with 13.2 K% and a 9.9 BB%. Moreover, he allowed three home runs in those innings pitched, a far cry from the pitcher he was a season before.

On Jun. 29, the Blue Jays designated Mayza for assignment, and then the longest-tenured Blue Jay was released a week later when no other team claimed him. Mayza signed a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees on Jul. 12 and was called up a month later, posting a 4 ERA and a 3.94 FIP in 18 innings pitched. The lefty was on the team’s World Series roster as they fell in five games to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

By signing with the Pirates, Mayza joins former Blue Jays Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Spencer Horwitz, and Josh Palacios. Moreover, the Pirates hired the Blue Jays assistant hitting coach, Matt Hague, as their hitting coach in November.

It’s good to see the former Blue Jay land on his feet with the Pirates. Hopefully, the 2024 season was just a blip and he can return to his 2021-2023 form.