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Blue Jays: Joe Mantiply elects free agency
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Photo credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Sep 30, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 29, 2026, 16:52 EDT
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Joe Mantiply will likely be playing elsewhere in 2027. 
On Tuesday, per the Toronto Blue Jays’ transaction log, the left-hander cleared waivers and elected free agency. 
Mantiply was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on September 21 after appearing in 25 games with the organization over the 2026 season. Through his 25 games, Mantiply went 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Mantiply struck out 22 batters across 27 innings and was hit at a .265 clip. 
After signing a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays in March, Mantiply had his contract selected on April 5 and pitched to a 3.09 ERA over 11.2 innings during the month of April. 
The 35-year-old pitched even better in May, throwing six shutout frames in which he held opponents to a .200 average. Unfortunately for Mantiply, he ended up having to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, which kept him out of action until August. 
After five rehab outings between Single-A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo, Mantiply was recalled by the Blue Jays on September 1 when MLB expanded its rosters from 26 to 28. Over eight appearances in the month of September before being DFA’d, Mantiply pitched to a 4.82 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and allowed opponents to hit .282 with two home runs. 
With Mason Fluharty becoming a staple in the Blue Jays’ bullpen along with Brendon Little, Brendan Cellucci and Ricky Tiedemann all representing left-handed options throughout the organization, Mantiply’s role ultimately became less defined and was moved on from. 
Across his nine-year career, Mantiply has pitched in 281 games with the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Blue Jays. During that span, Mantiply is 13-13 with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 243 innings.
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