ROSTER MOVES: 🔹 LHP Brendon Little recalled from Triple-A and will be active today 🔹 RHP Chad Dallas optioned to Triple-A
Blue Jays recall Brendon Little, option Chad Dallas
Photo credit: © Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026, 13:45 EDTUpdated: Jun 19, 2026, 16:01 EDT
For the first time since April, Brendon Little is back with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Shortly ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs, the Blue Jays announced that Brendon Little has been called up to the 26-man roster. In turn, Chad Dallas has been optioned after being called up ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Little, who was drafted by the Cubs back in the 2017 draft, has spent most of the 2026 season at the Triple-A level. Over 24 outings, the left-handed reliever posted a 2.31 ERA and 3.92 FIP in 23.1 innings pitched. While his 31.7 K% strikeout rate was impressive, Little had a monstrous 18.8 BB%.
The 29-year-old was a vital part of the Blue Jays bullpen last season, especially in the first half. Over 79 outings, the lefty posted a 3.03 ERA and 2.92 FIP in 68.1 innings of work, with a 30.8 K% and 15.3 BB%. However, he struggled in the second half, and things only got worse to start the 2026 season.
In his five appearances with the team, Little gave up 10 earned runs in three and two-thirds, with three walks and six strikeouts, good for a 24.55 ERA and 12.91 FIP. On the day Little was sent down, he had given up 10 of the 17 earned runs the Blue Jays’ relievers had surrendered, not including Tyler Heineman’s performance against the Colorado Rockies.
The walk rate isn’t encouraging, but the Blue Jays have just one left-handed reliever in their bullpen, Mason Fluharty. No pitcher in Major League Baseball has pitched in more games than Fluharty, as he’s appeared in 40 games in various roles, from opener, to middle relief, to LOOGY, to even serving as the team’s closer on Thursday.
Dallas was called up to replace Max Scherzer, who landed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. The right-handed pitcher didn’t appear in a game and can’t be called up for another 15 days unless there’s an injury. It’s the second time he’s been optioned this season, meaning he can be optioned just three more times before needing to clear waivers on the sixth option.
Expect him to be back with the Blue Jays at some point later this season.
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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