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Mason Fluharty became the Blue Jays’ high-leverage lefty thanks to durability and strong performances
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Cynthia Ryley Delaney
Oct 26, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 26, 2026, 19:43 EDT
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Mason Fluharty emerged as the Toronto Blue Jays’ de facto high-leverage left-handed reliever in 2026.
After appearing in 55 big league games in his rookie campaign in 2025, Fluharty spent the entire 2026 season in the Blue Jays’ bullpen. With Brendon Little’s struggles, Fluharty was the team’s go-to southpaw against any left-handed batter.
That begs the question, how did Fluharty perform in 2026? Let’s find out!

Mason Fluharty’s 2026 season

The southpaw spent the 2025 season mainly in the big leagues, but had several stints with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. As a whole, Fluharty finished with a 4.44 ERA and 3.97 FIP in 52.2 innings of work, alongside a 26 K% and 11.2 BB%.
He took it to a whole new level in 2026. Fluharty hurled 62.2 innings, finishing with a respectable 3.30 ERA and 3.66 FIP, alongside a 24.7 K% and 10.6 BB%. Like Louis Varland and Tyler Rogers, two of the Blue Jays’ other high-leverage relievers to end the season, Fluharty did a good job of keeping the ball in the park, surrendering just six home runs for a 0.86 HR/9.
But what really stands out is the sheer number of games that Fluharty pitched in. No pitcher in baseball appeared in more games than Fluharty, as he pitched in 83 of the Blue Jays’ 162 games. 
The last time a pitcher appeared in at least 83 games was back in 2019 when Milwaukee Brewers’ reliever Alex Claudio appeared in the same number of games. You have to go back to 2011 for the last time a pitcher appeared in more games than Fluharty did in a single season, when Jonny Venters appeared in 85 games for the Atlanta Braves.
In September, Fluharty spoke with Lindsay Dunn and Whit Merrifield of the 6ix Inning Stretch podcast where he touched on his work load, attributing his durability to Blue Jays’ trainers and other members of the team’s staff.
Fluharty was the team’s workhorse and he found success, but he also excelled in the one job he’s there for. He faced 138 left-handed batters this season, holding them to a batting average of .145 with two home runs and six earned runs against.
There’s room for improvement for the southpaw moving forward, but if he can lower his walk rate and find ways to get right-handed batters out, there’s a chance he could become one of the game’s best left-handed relievers.
Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.
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