Toronto Blue Jays: Flurry of minor league players released, Anders Tolhurst signs with LG Twins

This year, he posted a 4.01 ERA through 24 2/3 innings with 31 strikeouts and 17 walks. A former top prospect in the organization, injuries hindered his development, and he ultimately transitioned from the rotation to the bullpen in 2022. Pardinho had over 257 1/3 innings with the Jays organization spanning all minor league levels. The Brazilian will likely be a mainstay on the national team roster next spring at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Amir Garrett – LHP

A veteran minor league signing this past offseason, Garrett was looking to find his way back to the big leagues this spring with Toronto. An injury during spring training kept him on the sidelines, and he eventually made his way to triple-A in July, where he allowed three earned runs and four walks through 5 1/3 innings before being released.

Jacob Barnes – RHP

Right-hander Jacob Barnes earned a spot on the Opening Day roster before being designated for assignment after six outings. He would re-sign with the Jays on a minor league deal and has spent the bulk of the year with triple-A Buffalo.

Through 22 outings with the Bisons, he authored a 6.84 ERA and a 1.880 WHIP.

Kevin Gowdy – RHP

Signed to a MiLB deal this past winter, right-hander Kevin Gowdy made 33 appearences in triple-A Buffalo this year, posting a 5.25 ERA with a 1.81 WHIP through 36 innings. He struck out 32 batters compared to 20 walks.

Gowdy signed a deal with Diablos Rojos Del Mexico in the Mexican League following his release from the Blue Jays organization

Grayson Thurman – RHP

Signed as a minor league free agent before the 2023 season, right-hander Grayson Thurman was in double-A New Hampshire at the time of his release. This season, he authored a 4.62 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP through 25 1/3 innings of relief, striking out batters at a 7.1 K/9 clip and holding opponents to a .641 OPS. Across 135 2/3 innings with the Jays organization, Thurman amassed a 4.31 ERA and 148 punchouts.

Bennett Flynn – RHP

Signed by the Blue Jays last summer following the MLB Draft, Flynn has spent the past two seasons in single-A Dunedin.

Through 39 2/3 innings out of the bullpen since signing, the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish hurler compiled a 6.81 ERA and a 1.739 WHIP with an 11.0 K/9.

Jaden Rudd – OF

Drafted by the Blue Jays in round seven back in 2021, injuries have limited him to just six games in 2025 and just 48 games last season. Through 15 at-bats this year, he collected four hits (two doubles) and nine RBIs.

For his Jays career, spanning from rookie ball through to single-A, Rudd compiled a .203/.366/.290 slash line with 137 walks and 43 stolen bases. Rudd made headlines back in 2023 when he was named to Great Britain’s World Baseball Classic roster and will likely be on their national squad again next spring.

Drew Jemison – 3B

Signed by the Jays out of independent ball last summer, Jemison found his way to double-A New Hampshire last season. This year, he spent the entire campaign in rookie ball, posting a .785 OPS with two home runs and 16 RBIs across 99 at-bats before being released.

Edrick Felix – 2B

Felix was acquired by the Blue Jays on April 27th, with the infielder being a former 14th-round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2023. Following the trade and before being released, Felix spent the entire campaign in the Florida Complex League, authoring a .241/.297/.362 slash line with two doubles, one home run, and six RBIs.

Lizandro Rodriguez – SS

Signed as a free agent on May 16th, following a long stint in the Kansas City Royals’ farm system, infielder Lizandro Rodriguez appeared in 34 games for the Dunedin Blue Jays before being released. Through 92 at-bats, the switch-hitter compiled a .228/.349/.348 slash line with a .697 OPS.

Yhoangel Aponte – CF

Signed by the Blue Jays during the 2021 international free agent period, Venezuelan Yhoangel Aponte has spent the past five seasons in the Jays organization before being released on July 29th. Through 297 games, spanning from the Dominican summer league through to single-A, Aponte authored a .212/.316/.360 slash line with 53 doubles, nine triples, and 27 home runs.

Anders Tolhurst – RHP

Signed by the Blue Jays in round 23 of the 2019 MLB Draft, right-hander Anders Tolhurst was in triple-A Buffalo at the time of his release. Across 92 outings (21 starts), Tolhurst compiled a 4.38 ERA through 193 1/3 innings.

The move was calculated, as Tolhurst immediately signed a deal with the LG Twins in the Korean Baseball Organization following his release.