Breaking News: According to my sources, Eloy Jiménez has signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Eloy is in good health and ready to play; he is only waiting to obtain his work visa. #Toronto #BlueJays
Report: Blue Jays sign Eloy Jiménez to minor-league deal
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
By Thomas Hall
Aug 29, 2025, 10:30 EDTUpdated: Aug 29, 2025, 10:41 EDT
Eloy Jiménez is back in the AL East. Well, sort of.
The 28-year-old slugger has reportedly signed a minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, as Spanish reporter Mike Rodriguez first reported Thursday night. He also added that the longtime Chicago White Sox’s outfielder/DH is healthy and currently awaiting his work visa.
Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith confirmed that report Friday morning.
Blue Jays are in agreement with Eloy Jimenez on a minor-league deal per source The right-handed hitter batted .278/.335/.397 in 40 games for the Rays’ AAA team this year. He last played a minor-league game on July 1. @mikedeportes was on this.
The club has yet to officially announce the signing.
Jiménez joined the Tampa Bay Rays as a minor-league free agent earlier this season, hitting .278/.335/.397 with nine doubles, three home runs and 29 RBIs across 40 games at triple-A, accounting for a 92 wRC+ (100 league average). He last played on July 1 before being released following a pair of IL stints.
The 2020 Silver Slugger hasn’t appeared in the majors since last season, splitting the 2024 campaign between the White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. But he struggled mightily to produce offensively, slumping to a .238/.289/.336 slash line while posting only six home runs and 23 RBIs with a miserable 78 wRC+ in 98 games.
Once Jiménez receives his work visa, the right-handed-hitting veteran will likely report to triple-A Buffalo, whose regular-season schedule concludes on Sep. 21. In all likelihood, he’ll primarily earn reps at the DH position with the Bisons moving forward. However, he could also spend time in the outfield and at first base — where he made two starts with Tampa Bay’s triple-A affiliate.
There isn’t an obvious pathway to the majors for Jiménez, though he could become an option for the Blue Jays if an injury ever arises. But they would first have to add him to the 40-man roster before he could be selected from the minors.