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Blue Jays: Angel Bastardo returned to the Red Sox
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Photo credit: © Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Apr 1, 2026, 18:30 EDTUpdated: Apr 1, 2026, 18:15 EDT
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As expected, the Toronto Blue Jays have given Angel Bastardo back to the Boston Red Sox.
The right-handed pitcher was one of the final cuts ahead of Opening Day, but placed on waivers. No team claimed him, meaning that he’s now returned to the Red Sox for a fee of $50,000.
Bastardo originally signed with the Red Sox during the 2018 International Free Agency period. After a few good seasons, Bastardo reached Double-A in 2024, but had his season cut short due to Tommy John surgery. Following that season, the Blue Jays selected the Venezuelan righty in the Rule 5 draft.
Due to recovering from Tommy John surgery, Bastardo didn’t pitch in 2025. He was originally announced to represent the Blue Jays at the Arizona Fall League, but they opted not to send him.
Bastardo finally pitched in a Blue Jays uniform in 2026, appearing in seven Spring Training games. Over those seven games, he posted a 4.70 ERA and 5.09 FIP in seven and two-thirds innings pitched, with a 15.2 K% and 21.2 BB%.
The Jays elected to take their 2025 Rule 5 pick, Spencer Miles, on the 26-man roster over Bastardo. Although both players are Rule 5 picks, their situations to keep them were a bit different. Due to missing all of last season, Bastardo only had to spend 90 days on the 26-man roster before he could be optioned. They don’t have that ability with Miles, as he’ll have to spend the entire season on the 26-man roster.
Bastardo may have had a rough Spring Training, but there’s potential there. His fastball reaches in the upper-90s with a plus changeup that generates whiffs. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Jays had attempted to work out a trade to keep him in the system that would’ve allowed him to be optioned.
While that can still happen, you never know, Bastardo will likely being the 2026 season with the Red Sox’s Double-A team, the last affiliate he had pitched for before the Jays selected him in the Rule 5 draft.
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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