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Former Blue Jay reliever Tim Mayza signs big league deal with Phillies
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Photo credit: © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Mar 24, 2026, 17:30 EDTUpdated: Mar 24, 2026, 17:22 EDT
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Tim Mayza has made a big league roster.
On Sunday, the Philadelphia Phillies announced that Mayza had been let go of his minor league contract, but re-signed to a major league deal, thus making the team’s bullpen.
Mayza, drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays all the way back in 2013, was an important reliever for the team in the early 2020s. After missing all of 2020 due to a global pandemic and Tommy John surgery, the left-handed pitcher returned to post a 3.40 ERA and 3.09 FIP in 53 innings pitched in 2021. He followed that up with a 3.14 ERA and 3.98 FIP in 48.2 innings pitched in 2022.
The lefty was not just one of the Blue Jays’ relievers in 2023, but one of the best relievers in baseball. Over 69 outings, Mayza had a 1.52 ERA and 2.60 FIP in 53.1 innings pitched. Of any reliever with 30 or more innings pitched that season, Mayza’s 1.52 ERA ranked sixth-best. Only one lefty reliever, Josh Hader, had a better ERA than Mayza that season.
Then, unfortunately, 2024 happened. Out of nowhere, Mayza, Jordan Romano, and Erik Swanson struggled, contributing to the 74-88 season. While Romano and Swanson both made it to the end of the season, the same can’t be said for Mayza as the Blue Jays designated the lefty for assignment in July.
At the time, he and Danny Jansen, who was traded later that season, were the longest serving Blue Jays in the organization. Shortly after being released, Mayza signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees, eventually making the big leagues with the Blue Jays’ American League East rival.
Mayza’s 2025 was split with the two Pennsylvanian teams. Beginning the year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he posted a 2.89 ERA and 3.46 FIP in nine and one-third innings. The lefty was eventually DFA’ed and claimed by the Phillies, where he finished the season with a 4.91 ERA and 5.04 FIP in seven and one-third innings.
With the season right around the corner, Mayza finished Spring Training with a 6.75 ERA and 4.94 FIP in nine and one-third innings. Joining Mayza in the Phillies bullpen is another former Blue Jay, Zach Pop. Moreover, Taijuan Walker is set to find a home in the Phillies rotation, at least to begin the season.
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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