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Blue Jays 2026 40-man Roster Review: Mason Fluharty pitched well in big moments during his rookie campaign
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Photo credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jan 11, 2026, 10:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 11, 2026, 06:48 EST
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Mason Fluharty is going to be an important left-handed reliever in the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen moving forward.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual 40-man roster review ahead of the new season. If you missed the most recent article, we looked at Braydon Fisher. In this article, we’ll look at Mason Fluharty.
There were two rookie relievers to pitch significant innings for the Blue Jays in 2025, Fisher and Fluharty. The latter was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 draft and had a quick ascent up the minor league ladder, posting a 3.28 ERA in 2023 and a 3.63 ERA in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons in 2024.
He had a good showing in Spring Training early last year, posting a 1.29 ERA and 2.30 FIP in seven innings of work, with a 40.7 K% and 3.7 BB%. On Mar. 30, the Blue Jays designated Richard Lovelady for assignment, selecting the contract of Fluharty and calling him up to the big leagues.
It was so long ago, but Fluharty had a terrific start to his big league career. Over his first 18.1 innings pitched, the lefty had a 1.96 ERA and 2.97 FIP, with a 26.2 K% and 7.7 BB%. After a few outings in June, Fluharty began to struggle on Jun. 8. From that date until Jun. 30, the final game he pitched in before he was optioned, Fluharty gave up 12 earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched.
Needing a reset, Fluharty appeared in four games for the Bisons in July, but was recalled later that month. He pitched better the rest of the way, going 18.2 innings, giving up five earned runs for a 2.41 ERA. His biggest moment by far was on Aug. 10.
Entering the game up 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers had the bases loaded after Jeff Hoffman struggled. His first batter was none other than Shohei Ohtani, but Fluharty got him swinging. Needing just one more out, Mookie Betts grounded out, as Fluharty picked up his first career save.
In the playoffs, Fluharty made 11 appearances for the Jays, giving up four earned runs over six and one-third innings. The Jays used him as a sort of LOOGY (been a while since I typed that), with half of his runs coming in his first three appearances. From the American League Championship Series onward, Fluharty appeared in eight games, authoring a 4.15 ERA and 2.21 FIP.
There are going to be some tough decisions that need to be made regarding the Blue Jays bullpen entering 2026. Although Fluharty has pitched well enough to warrant a spot in a big league bullpen, his two option years make him valuable as the Jays can call him up when needed. Still, he’ll get a significant number of innings in 2026, and perhaps may not pitch in the minor leagues at all in 2026.
As for his Fangraphs’ projections, Steamer has him posting a 3.97 ERA and 4.19 FIP in 42 innings pitched, with a 23.4 K% and 9.7 BB%. He and Brendon Little look to be their only one-inning left-handed relievers, so expect to see Fluharty a lot in 2026.
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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