OFFICIAL: We’ve traded LHP Justin Bruihl to the Guardians in exchange for cash considerations.
Blue Jays trade Justin Bruihl to Guardians for cash considerations
Photo credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Dec 18, 2025, 10:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 18, 2025, 06:27 EST
Death, taxes, the Toronto Blue Jays making trades with the Cleveland Guardians.
After the signing of Tyler Rogers became official on Tuesday, the Blue Jays designated Justin Bruihl for assignment. Well, on Thursday afternoon, the Jays were able to trade him to the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations.
During last season’s Spring Training, the left-handed reliever signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays, earning a call-up to the big league team in mid-June. Over the span of a few stints with the big league team, the 28-year-old left-handed pitcher had a 5.27 ERA and 4.16 FIP in 13.2 innings pitched, with a 27.7 K% and 10.8 BB%. Bruihl had a better time with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, authoring a 3.43 ERA and 3.38 FIP in 42 innings pitched, with a 27.8 K% and 9.1 BB%.
Despite his struggles in the big leagues, Bruihl was named to the Blue Jays’ American League Divisional Series roster as the New York Yankees had a ton of left-handed hitters. The lefty made just one appearance in Game 2 of the series, allowing a hit to break up Trey Yesavage’s no-hitter. Overall, he gave up two earned runs in a third of an inning pitched.
This is the fourth trade between the Blue Jays and Guardians in a little over a year. On Dec. 10, 2024, the Jays sent Spencer Horwitz and Nick Mitchell to the Guardians for Nick Sandlin and Andrés Giménez. Later that off-season, the Jays acquired Myles Straw and International Free Agent bonus pool money for cash considerations. At the 2025 trade deadline, the Jays sent pitching prospect Khal Stephen to the Guardians for Shane Bieber.
The Blue Jays had to designated Bruihl for assignment, as their 40-man roster is currently full. That means that if another player signs, it’s a player in and player out. Time will tell if they’re able to sign a player like Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette.
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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