The Toronto Blue Jays have added another left-handed batting outfielder to their 40-man roster. On Thursday afternoon, 7News’ Ari Alexander reported that the Blue Jays have claimed Rudy Martin Jr. off waivers after he was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles.
In turn, the Blue Jays placed Addison Barger on the 60-day Injured List. Having not played since early May, Barger will be eligible to be activated whenever he’s healthy, if that happens at some point this season. Martin Jr. will join the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
This is Martin Jr.’s third team in under a week. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 25th round all the way back in 2014, the 30-year-old has yet to make his big league debut. His first stint with the Royals concluded following the 2021 season, and he spent the 2022 season in the Washington Nationals system.
The next two seasons saw Martin Jr. play independent ball, as well as a stint for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. Early into the 2025 season, the Royals signed him to a minor league deal, where he slashed .271/.356/.405 with six home runs in 312 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A.
This season, Martin Jr. is slashing .284/.414/.441 with eight home runs in 255 plate appearances, 207 of which was with the Royals’ Double-A team. Last Friday, the Royals shipped him to the Orioles, with the American League East team adding him to their 40-man roster. However, Martin Jr. was designated for assignment just three days later.
Martin Jr. has option years, meaning he can be sent to the Buffalo Bisons without needing to be placed on waivers. If the Blue Jays continue to struggle heading into August, he may end up getting a look, but hey, taking a chance on Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement panned out for the Blue Jays.
