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Former Blue Jay Aaron Sanchez set to pitch for Mexico in 2026 WBC
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Photo credit: © Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jan 11, 2026, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 11, 2026, 06:52 EST
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Former Toronto Blue Jay Aaron Sanchez is starting to gain some momentum.
Late on Saturday evening, Canadian Baseball Network’s Bob Elliott reported that Aaron Sanchez will pitch for Mexico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Sanchez’s most recent action in affiliate baseball was with the Blue Jays in 2024, where he had a 7.92 ERA with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He didn’t pitch until late 2025 after being cut, but upon his return, he showed the promise he once had.
Over 46.1 innings pitched with the Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League, Sanchez posted a 1.55 ERA in eight starts. He pitched so well that he earned the league’s Pitcher of the Year award.
Early in Sanchez’ career, the right-handed pitcher had a ton of promise. The Jays selected him 34th overall in the 2010 draft, as he made his big league debut in 2014. Over 33 innings that season, Sanchez had a 1.09 ERA and 2.80 FIP, appearing out of the bullpen for all 24 games.
Most of his 2015 season was out of the bullpen as well, as Sanchez started 11 of the 41 games he appeared in. Overall, he had a 3.22 ERA and 4.61 FIP in 92.1 innings pitched. By far his best season was in 2016, as his 3 ERA in 192 innings pitched led all major league starters, as he finished seventh in Cy Young voting
Unfortunately, Sanchez dealt with blister and finger issues in 2017, throwing just 36 innings. Had he stayed healthy, the 2017 Blue Jays could’ve potentially made the postseason, as they were just three games back of a wild card spot in mid-August. He didn’t regain his 2016 form upon his return in 2018, posting a 4.89 ERA and 5.25 FIP in 131.1 innings pitched.
Through 112.2 innings pitched with the Jays in 2019, Sanchez had a 6.07 ERA and 5.02 FIP in those 23 starts. Before the trade deadline, the Jays traded him, Joe Biagini, and then-prospect Cal Stevenson to the Houston Astros for Derek Fisher. 
This trade sprung a brief trade tree that ended recently, as Fisher was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021, with the prospect the Jays got back being Paxton Schultz. On Friday, Schultz was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.
In just his first start with the Astros, Sanchez pitched no-hit innings in what became a combined no hitter. However, he appeared in just three more games with the Astros that season. Sanchez had a cup of tea with the San Francisco Giants in 2021, while splitting his 2022 with the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins.
The 33-year-old hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2022, spending the 2023 season split between the Twins and Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A teams, before returning to the Blue Jays organization for the 2024 season.
As it stands, Sanchez remains a free agent. That said, if he pitches well with Mexico, it’s not hard to envision him earning another look on a minor league deal.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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