Report: Former Blue Jay Aaron Sanchez pursuing MLB comeback

The veteran right-hander, selected 34th overall in 2010 by the Blue Jays, made his major league debut four years later as a reliever before joining the starting rotation during the following season. He spent six seasons in Toronto, pitching to a 3.96 ERA and 4.32 FIP with 458 strikeouts over 146 games (92 starts).

Sanchez, an All-Star in 2016, was traded to the San Francisco Giants along with reliever Joe Biagini and outfielder Cal Stevenson for fellow outfielder Derek Fisher ahead of the ’19 trade deadline.

From there, the Barstow, Calif., native bounced between several different organizations. After being released by the Giants in August 2021, he signed a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals during the ensuing spring but ended up electing for free agency that summer after making seven big-league starts. A few days later, he caught on with the Twins as a minor-league free agent and ultimately made his way back to the majors for eight games (three starts).

Minnesota brought Sanchez back in 2023, but he spent his entire second stint at triple-A before being released in July of that season. Shortly afterwards, he inked a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, though he only made four triple-A starts before returning to the open market.

After remaining unsigned all winter, the 6-foot-4 hurler returned to the Blue Jays organization last season, joining Buffalo’s rotation in early May. But the results were extremely poor, as he struggled to a 7.92 ERA and 7.29 FIP, surrendering 13 home runs and producing nearly as many walks (39) as strikeouts (41) over his 14 outings with the Bisons.

Following Sanchez’s final start on Aug. 3, the franchise placed him on the temporary inactive list before releasing him a few days later.