Fowler announced his retirement from baseball Tuesday.
Injuries conspired to sabotage the tail end of Fowler's career, as he last saw action in the majors in April of 2021, when he suffered a torn ACL. The 36-year-old had a fine 14-year run, though, finishing with a .775 OPS, 127 home runs and 149 stolen bases for five teams. Fowler made the All-Star team and won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016.
Fowler requested and was granted his release from the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
Fowler signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays in late March while in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL. He joined Triple-A Buffalo once healthy but evidently didn't see a path to a major-league roster spot, as he'll search for other opportunities after appearing in just three games.
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Blue Jays' Dexter Fowler: Activated at Triple-A Buffalo
Rotowire
Fowler (knee) was activated by Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.
Fowler continued his recovery from a torn ACL early in the 2022 season and will make his season debut at Buffalo on Thursday. The 36-year-old should be in the mix to provide outfield depth for the Blue Jays at some point this year now that he's back to full health.
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Blue Jays' Dexter Fowler: Playing in simulated games
Rotowire
Fowler (knee) has begun playing in simulated games at the Blue Jays' player development site, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fowler served as a non-roster invitee for Toronto this spring but didn't participate in many activities while he continued to recover from the torn ACL that he sustained in April 2021. However, he's been able to increase his activity level recently and will now work on building up to game speed. Once Fowler completes his progression, he'll likely report to Triple-A Buffalo.
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Blue Jays' Dexter Fowler: Signs MiLB deal with Toronto
Rotowire
Fowler (knee) agreed to a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The contract includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where Fowler will look to impress during what's left of camp to earn a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder. Fowler was limited to just seven games with the Angels in 2021, after his season ended in April when he suffered an ACL tear. The 36-year-old might not yet be fully healthy, so Fowler could stay behind at the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Florida to continue his rehab program once the team heads north for the start of the regular season. In his last relatively full season in 2019, the 36-year-old produced a career-high 19 home runs and 67 RBI while slashing .238/.346/.409 across 150 games with the Cardinals.
Fowler (knee) said Friday that he's ahead of schedule in his recovery, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Fowler suffered a torn ACL in mid-April and has been recovering near his home for the past few months, but he'll now continue his rehab while traveling with the Angels. The 35-year-old said he could be back to full health by mid-October, which bodes well for his status for spring training 2022. Fowler also isn't considering retirement following his injury.
Fowler (knee) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The 35-year-old has already been ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, so it was only a matter of time before he moved to the 60-day IL. Fowler will undergo surgery sometime in the near future and will face a 6-to-9-month recovery. Jon Jay had his contract selected from the taxi squad with Justin Upton dealing with back stiffness and Juan Lagares (calf) also on the injured list.
The Angels announced Sunday that Fowler suffered an ACL tear in his left knee after exiting Friday's 7-1 win over the Blue Jays, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. He's expected to undergo season-ending surgery at a later date.
Initially diagnosed with a left knee contusion, Fowler's injury was later clarified as a sprain when the Angels placed him on the 10-day injured list Saturday. Follow-up tests apparently revealed ligament damage, which will require a procedure that will sideline Fowler for around 6-to-9 months. In addition to spelling an end to Fowler's season, the injury could also end the 35-year-old's time as an everyday payer in the majors. Los Angeles will have Juan Lagares fill in for Fowler in right field in Sunday's series finale with the Blue Jays, but expect the Angels to eventually add competition at the position.
