ROSTER MOVES: 🔹 RHP Jameson Taillon and INF Josh Smith have reported to the team and will be active tonight 🔹 RHP Lazaro Estrada recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight 🔹RHP John Klein optioned to Triple-A
Blue Jays activate Jameson Taillon & Josh Smith, recall Lazaro Estrada, option John Klein in post-trade deadline roster moves
Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Aug 3, 2026, 19:58 EDT
Following the completion of the trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays needed to make some roster moves.
On Monday, before the series opener against the Houston Astros, the Blue Jays announced that both Jameson Taillon and Josh Smith have joined the club and will be active for tonight’s contest.
Taillon was acquired alongside cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs on Saturday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Taillon, who is in the final year of a four-year, $68-million contract, was designated for assignment by the Cubs on July 27.
Through 15 games this season, the 34-year-old is 2-6 with a 5.92 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Over 76 innings, Taillon has struck out 68 batters and been hit at a .256 clip.
Smith joins the Blue Jays’ active roster after being acquired alongside minor-league right-hander Josh Stephan from the Texas Rangers. Through 45 games this season, Smith is batting .213 with one home run and eight RBIs.
An American League Silver Slugger in 2024, Smith can play multiple positions around the field and holds a career batting line of .234/.325/.346 with 32 home runs and 136 RBIs. The 28-year-old brings a speed element to the club, having stolen 31 bases in 40 attempts.
After trading away Jeff Hoffman, the Blue Jays recalled Lazaro Estrada to fill the spot in the bullpen. Estrada is up for his fourth stint with the club this season, and during that time, the right-hander has pitched in four games.
Over 9.1 innings pitched, Estrada has a 4.82 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and has held opponents to a .129 average. The 27-year-old has struck out six batters during that span and has allowed five walks.
Right-hander John Klein was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo following his acquisition from the Minnesota Twins as part of the return for Hoffman. Klein has pitched in three games with the Twins this season and is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP.
Klein has struck two batters, walked four, and held opponents to a .214 average over his 4.1 innings pitched at the big-league level this season.
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