Former Blue Jay Josh Fleming signs minor league deal with Chicago Cubs
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Jul 7, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 7, 2026, 10:45 EDT
Former Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Josh Fleming wasted no time finding a new home.
On Monday night, hours after he was released by the Blue Jays, Fleming was signed to a minor league contract by the Chicago Cubs.
Fleming was originally signed by the Blue Jays on February 7 to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. After failing to make the team, he opened the season in Triple-A before having his contract selected on April 6 as the Blue Jays dealt with an overworked bullpen.
In his lone outing with the Blue Jays on April 6, Fleming posted a pitching line of 3.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K during the Blue Jays’ 14-2 loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fleming surrendered a home run to Freddie Freeman in the defeat and was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays the following day.
After electing free agency, Fleming returned to the Blue Jays’ organization on April 12 on another minor league contract. Through 13 games (12 starts) with the Bisons this season, Fleming went 3-5 with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP across 64.1 innings. The 30-year-old struck out 51 batters across his 64.1 frames but allowed opponents to hit him at a .266 clip.
Over his six MLB seasons, Fleming has pitched in 81 games (25 starts) and holds a 20-14 record, a 4.86 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. With the Cubs dealing with a string of injuries to much of their pitching staff, Fleming has the opportunity to work his way to the major league club if he can flash some of the success he’s shown in previous campaigns.
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