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Blue Jays: Looking at Spencer Miles and Angel Bastardo’s chances of making the Opening Day roster
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Photo credit: © Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Mar 22, 2026, 11:15 EDTUpdated: Mar 22, 2026, 11:04 EDT
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One of the most notable battles for a roster spot heading in Spring Training was between two Rule 5 picks.
Angel Bastardo was selected from the Boston Red Sox in the 2024 Rule 5 draft, but missed all of the 2025 season. After nearly winning the World Series, it was a bit of a shock when the Jays selected Spencer Miles from the San Francisco Giants in the 2025 Rule 5 draft.
With Opening Day right around the corner and a spot in the bullpen still up for grabs, has either Bastardo and/or Miles done enough to make the Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day roster?

Looking at Bastardo and Miles’ Spring Training

The short answer to that question is not really.  Over seven appearances, Bastardo has a 4.70 ERA and 5.10 FIP in 7.2 innings pitched. The 23-year-old has a higher BB% (21.2%) than K% (15.2%), a great stat line for a hitter, but not for a pitcher.
Miles hasn’t been much better. Through his six outings, the 25-year-old has a 4.15 ERA and 6.20 FIP over eight and two-thirds innings pitched. Miles at least has more strikeouts than walks, but an 11.6 BB% isn’t great, while his 25.6 K% is respectable.
That said, results aren’t the most important thing in Spring Training, and both players have legitimate potential. Bastardo features a plus changeup and fastball that runs up into the upper 90s. Miles features a plus fastball that sits in the mid-90s and reaches a tick under triple digits. 
Bastardo is the easier of the two to carry on the 26-man roster, as the Jays need to have him on the roster for the first 90 days, then can send him down. That’s due to him missing all of the 2025 season, while Miles will need to be on the 26-man roster for the entirety of the season.
The stuff is there for both pitchers, but neither of them stood out this Spring Training, and neither player is really ready for a full-time roster spot. Add in the fact that the Jays have quite a few veterans battling for just a handful of spots, and it’s hard to see either Rule 5 selectee making it.
Right now, the locks in the bullpen are Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers, Louis Varland, Brendon Little, and Braydon Fisher. Even with an option year, Mason Fluharty should make their Opening Day roster as he’s had a strong Spring Training, while Tommy Nance is out of option years and likely earned a spot after a strong 2025 campaign.
That leaves just one spot for not just Bastardo and Miles, but also Chase Lee, Yariel Rodríguez, Jorge Alcala, Josh Fleming, Adam Macko, and Lázaro Estrada. Another thing that both Bastardo and Miles’ have going their way is that they both offer length out of the bullpen, something the Blue Jays are reportedly looking for.
When the Blue Jays announce their Opening Day roster ahead of Friday, don’t be surprised if both Miles and Bastardo are offered back to the Giants and Red Sox respectively. If the Jays do name one to their Opening Day roster, Bastardo would probably be my pick.
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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