The Hanshin Tigers have signed LHP Easton Lucas. Lucas (29) has struggled at the MLB level. He does have decent stuff, and given that the Tigers were able to fix Jon Duplantier, this could be a good landing spot for him.
Report: Former Blue Jay Easton Lucas signs with NPB’s Hanshin Tigers
Photo credit: © Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Nov 27, 2025, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 27, 2025, 01:36 EST
Easton Lucas has found a new home.
On Tuesday evening, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas was placed on unconditional release waivers as he had a deal lined up overseas. Well, that deal has been reported to be with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Lucas, 29, was drafted in the 14th round of the 2019 draft by the Miami Marlins and spent a few seasons in the minor leagues before making his big league debut in 2023 with the Oakland Athletics. He bounced around the league in 2024 before being claimed by the Blue Jays late in the season.
The left-handed pitcher made his debut shortly after, but was crucial in his first two starts, outdueling MacKenzie Gore and Garrett Crochet. Unfortunately, LucasMania came to an end in his third start, and after his fourth start, Lucas was optioned. He had three more stints with the Jays, but never pitched in more than one game. Lucas finished the season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
With Lucas’ release, the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster is now down to 37 players. However, expect that to change whenever the signing of Dylan Cease is made official, meaning that just two spots remain before the Jays need to clear some room on the roster.
Just because Lucas is heading overseas doesn’t mean he won’t get another shot in the big leagues. Two former Blue Jays, Foster Griffin and Anthony Kay, are likely to sign win an MLB team this off-season after successful stints in Japan. Cody Ponce found success in Korea and is a notable starter on the market, while Merrill Kelly is probably the biggest success story of a player returning from overseas to find success in MLB.
The Tigers are coming off a Japan Series loss to the SoftBank Hawks, but had won the Japan Series in 2023. Lucas will be joining former Blue Jays’ Jeremy Beasley and Rafael Dolis. The former pitched 24.1 innings with the Blue Jays between 2021 and 2022, while Dolis served as the team’s closer for parts of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. It’s impressive how far the Blue Jays have come.
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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