Blue Jays: Looking at internal options for the bullpen in 2026
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025, 18:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 29, 2025, 11:52 EST
The Toronto Blue Jays are in a good spot.
On Wednesday, they signed Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal worth $210 million (with some deferrals). Their next biggest priority this off-season should be signing a bat. That said, adding a reliever or two is important as well, as their bullpen sat in the middle of the pack in the regular season and struggled in the postseason.
It’d be shocking if the Jays don’t add to their bullpen, but it just may not be one of the top high-leverage relievers. That said, let’s take a look at some relievers who could make their big league debut next season.
Adam Macko
It seems like it’ll only be a matter of time before Adam Macko makes his big league debut. One of three pitchers on the 40-man roster in this list, the left-handed pitcher began the 2025 season on the injury list, but returned in May and joined the Buffalo Bisons in early June. In 64 innings pitched with the Bisons, Macko had a 5.06 ERA and 4.56 FIP in 64 innings of work, with a 22.6 K% and 12.5 BB%.
While Macko is one of their best MLB-ready starting pitchers, his stuff would certainly play up in the bullpen, where his walk rate wouldn’t be as damaging. It’s worth noting that Macko lowered his BB% to 8.8% in 2024.
Don’t be surprised to see Macko called up in a Lázaro Estrada or Paxton Schultz-type role at some point in 2026.
Trenton Wallace
Trenton Wallace has been one of the more interesting left-handed pitchers in the Blue Jays’ system for a few seasons now. Making 26 starts in 2024, the 26-year-old had a 26.5 K% and 11.7 BB%, but struggled a bit once he reached Triple-A.
Last season, Wallace spent the majority of the season with the Bisons, authoring a 4.18 ERA and 4.70 FIP in 51.2 innings pitched. Notably, after his first eight games, Wallace moved to a multi-inning reliever type role in the Bisons’ bullpen.
Wallace features four pitches: a slider, a changeup, a cutter, and a sinker that sits in the high-80s. Despite the low velocity, Wallace has done an adequate job of getting swings and misses throughout his minor league career, and could also fill a role like Estrada and Schultz did in 2026.
Ricky Tiedemann
Ricky Tiedemann’s ceiling is that of a front-end-of-the-rotation starter. The left-handed pitcher reaches the upper 90s with his fastball, with a plus changeup and a plus slider. However, Tiedemann missed the entirety of the 2025 season due to recovering from Tommy John surgery and struggled with injuries and poor command in 2023 and 2024.
There’s a possibility that Tiedemann’s future could be in the bullpen, but the Jays probably let him start in 2026. Toward the end of the season, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Jays call him up in some capacity, as they recently added the 23-year-old to the 40-man roster.
Who knows, though. Maybe Tiedemann earns a spot in the rotation if there’s an injury.
T.J. Brock
It’s been a rough two seasons for T.J. Brock. Selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, he made his debut shortly after and had a solid 2023 season, posting a 4.78 ERA and 3.76 FIP in 52.2 innings pitched, along with a 37.3 K% and 9.9 BB%.
Coming into the 2024 season, Brock was one of the Blue Jays’ better relief prospects, but he pitched just 11.1 innings in what was an injury-filled season. Brock pitched an additional seven innings in the 2024 Arizona Fall League
Unfortunately, he missed all of the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, and his timetable for the 2026 season is unknown. When healthy, he features an upper-90s fastball and plus slider. He’s available to be selected in the Rule 5 draft.
Angel Bastardo
Speaking of the Rule 5 draft, if the Blue Jays wish to retain Angel Bastardo’s services, he’ll need to be on the Jays’ 26-man roster for the duration of the season. Selected in the 2024 Rule 5 draft, Bastardo missed the entire season due to Tommy John surgery, meaning the same rules apply to his 2026 season.
If the Jays option him, he’ll have to clear waivers and be offered back to the Boston Red Sox. Before needing Tommy John surgery in 2024, Bastardo had a 5.36 ERA and 4.28 FIP in 45.1 innings pitched, with a 26.6 K% and 10.6 BB%.
In his last full healthy season, he had a 4.68 ERA and 4.16 FIP in 119.1 innings between High-A and Double-A. The 23-year-old also struck out 29.4% of the batters he faced.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.