logo
Blue Jays select Buddy Kennedy’s contract, designated Ali Sánchez for assignment
alt
Photo credit: © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Aug 5, 2025, 17:30 EDTUpdated: Aug 5, 2025, 19:10 EDT
Comments
Ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against the Colorado Rockies, the Toronto Blue Jays have made a roster move.
It was reported before Monday’s game that Buddy Kennedy joined the Blue Jays’ taxi squad. Well, the corresponding roster move happened on Tuesday afternoon, as the Blue Jays selected Kennedy’s contract and designated Ali Sánchez for assignment.
Kennedy was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, making his big league debut with the Diamondbacks in 2022. The utility infielder has played each season since, spending the 2023 season with the Diamondbacks, the 2024 season split between the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, and parts of this season with the Phillies before electing free agency at the start of July.
For his big league career, Kennedy is slashing .193/.287/.296 with two home runs in 157 plate appearances for a 65 wRC+ and 0.2 fWAR. He has played first base, second base, and third base in his career, with average defensive results.
Just four days after becoming a free agent, Kennedy joined the Blue Jays’ organization on a minor league deal. Joining the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Kennedy has slashed .207/.309/.259 with no home runs in 68 plate appearances, with a 13.2 BB% and 14.7 K%. His numbers with the Phillies’ Triple-A team were better, as he hit eight home runs and slashed .283/.388/.447 for a 124 wRC+.
As for Sánchez, he was called up to replace Alejandro Kirk, who headed to the 7-day concussion Injured List. Sánchez wasn’t immediately sent down as backup catcher Tyler Heineman took a foul ball off the helmet on Saturday. However, Heineman played on Monday, meaning the Blue Jays didn’t require three catchers on the 26-man roster.
This season, Sánchez is slashing .238/.238/.333 in 21 plate appearances, being robbed of his first home run by Cederic Mullins last Wednesday. It’s the second time he’s been designated for assignment this season, with the catcher eventually re-signing with the Blue Jays the last time he was DFA’ed.
Assuming George Springer and Andrés Giménez return to the Blue Jays in the coming days, it wouldn’t be surprising if Kennedy is a player optioned to make room for them on the 26-man roster.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Featured

News

Breaking News