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Blue Jays’ Mason Fluharty embracing seasons heavy workload ‘I’m in a really good routine’
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Photo credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Sep 4, 2026, 11:05 EDTUpdated: Sep 4, 2026, 11:38 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen has been forced to work hard during the 2026 season. 
One of the relievers who has heard his name called a lot has been left-hander Mason Fluharty. Fluharty currently leads all of Major League Baseball with 74 appearances through the Blue Jays’ first 141 games.
Through his 74 outings, Fluharty has gone 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. The 25-year-old has struck out 60 batters across his 56 innings pitched and has held opponents to a .223 average during that span. 
On Tuesday, Fluharty joined the 6ix Inning Stretch Podcast with Lindsay Dunn and Whit Merrifield to discuss how he recovers after outings, his big strikeout of Cal Raleigh during last Saturday’s 4-3 victory, and his relationship with fellow relievers Louis Varland and Braydon Fisher. 
“We have the best trainers in the league. I said it last year when I first got called up, that this is how it’s supposed to run,” Fluharty said. “I’m on a pretty good throwing program schedule. After the game, it’s stretching with the trainers and strength coaches in the weight room. I’m in a really good routine from a recovery standpoint and when I get home, I just go to sleep.”
In his most recent outing in Toronto, Fluharty was summoned in the top of the eighth inning with a runner on first and two out. After allowing a single to Josh Naylor that put runners on the corners, Fluharty had to face Cal Raleigh, who hit 60 home runs a season ago. 
In a 1-2 count, Fluharty turned to his cutter and he was able to get Raleigh to swing through the 91.3 MPH offering to retire the side and pick up his 15th hold of the season. 
“Honestly, the other day in the Mariners series my arm was dragging and felt a little fatigued. It was when I came in for Naylor and Raleigh, I was dragging a little,” Fluharty said. “I knew I could go that day and if I went, I’d have two days off. It was a big spot in the game and the adrenaline just took over. It was almost like playoffs, fans going nuts, the biggest spot with a lefty coming up and I don’t feel anything in those moments.” 
Often seen together throughout the game in the bullpen is the trio of Fluharty, Varland, and Fisher. The three are all in the midst of their second season with the Blue Jays and are all having strong years. 
“We’re Flootie and the Blowfish. We’ve been really close the last few years and this year we’ve just kind of hit it off even more. They’re like two brothers to me,” Fluharty said. “We pick on each other all the time, crack jokes, but rarely talk about baseball. We’ve been through a lot with each other and I think the best of us comes out when we’re together.” 
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