Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (35) pitches to the New York Mets during the fourth inning at Rogers Centre on Sept 9. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Former Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough Gets MiLB Deal in Toronto

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 9:56 AM ET

Former Tampa Bay Rays stalwart Ryan Yarbrough is headed back to the Toronto Blue Jays, signing a minor league deal with the franchise on Thursday.

The information came from Robert Murray of Fansided on social media:

Free-agent pitcher Ryan Yarbrough and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a minor-league contract, sources say. The deal includes an invite to spring training.

Free-agent pitcher Ryan Yarbrough and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a minor-league contract, sources say. The deal includes an invite to spring training.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 20, 2025

Yarbrough ended the 2024 season with Toronto and then elected free agency at the conclusion of the World Series.

The 33-year-old appeared in 12 games for the Jays last season after coming over from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He threw 31.1 innings for Toronto with a 2.01 ERA.

A seven-year veteran of the Tampa Bay Rays, Dodgers, Kansas City Royals and Blue Jays, he's 53-40 lifetime with a 4.21 ERA. He has appeared in 196 career games, making 68 starts.

He was a frequent "opener" for the Rays as they popularized the pitching strategy.

His best bet to make the Blue Jays appears to be as a multi-inning relief option. The Jays already figure to have starting pitchers with Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Bowden Francis. Yariel Rodriguez is also rotation depth currently on the 40-man roster.

The Blue Jays are coming off a season in which they went 74-88 and finished last in the American League East.

However, after adding Scherzer, Anthony Santander, Andres Gimenez and Jeff Hoffman, they are feeling more confident about their opportunity in 2025.

The regular season begins on March 27.

This article first appeared on Minor League Baseball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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