The Angels signed Sandlin (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Sandlin was limited to only 19 appearances in 2025 for the Blue Jays due to elbow trouble, with the last of those outings coming before the All-Star break. It's unclear whether he will have restrictions in spring training, but Sandlin boasts a career 3.19 ERA and 27.3 percent strikeout rate, so he'll have a good shot to make the Opening Day roster, if healthy.
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Nick Sandlin: Reaches free agency
Rotowire
Sandlin (elbow) elected to become a free agent Monday.
Sandlin cleared waivers after being removed from the Blue Jays' 40-man roster and has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The 28-year-old missed much of the 2025 season with a right elbow injury and it's unclear what his current health status is. With a career 3.19 ERA and 27.3 percent strikeout rate over parts of five major-league seasons, Sandlin will draw plenty of free-agent interest as long as his medicals come back clean.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Removed from 40-man
Rotowire
Sandlin (elbow) cleared waivers Saturday and was sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Sandlin was effective in the big leagues in 2025, turning in a 2.20 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 16.1 regular-season innings with the Jays. However, right elbow inflammation sent him to the injured list in early July, and multiple setbacks in his recovery prevented him from returning. The 28-year-old righty will likely elect free agency and could attract significant attention after posting a 3.19 ERA through his first five MLB seasons.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Continuing throwing progression
Rotowire
Sandlin (elbow) threw a bullpen session over the weekend and will throw another one later this week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Sandlin has been sidelined since before the All-Star break with right shoulder inflammation and encountered multiple setbacks, but he's not giving up hope on a late-season return. The righty has posted a 2.20 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 16.1 frames this season out of the Blue Jays' bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Blue Jays transferred Sandlin (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.
This move doesn't affect Sandlin's timeline for a return, as he had been on the shelf since July 8. His throwing program has been paused multiple times during his ramp-up from right elbow inflammation, and he recently got an anti-inflammatory injection. Sandlin is expected to resume throwing once the shot takes full effect.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Aiming to resume throwing
Rotowire
Sandlin received an injection Monday to reduce the inflammation in his right elbow and is aiming to resume his throwing program Saturday or Sunday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Sandlin has been on the 15-day injured list since July 8 due to right elbow inflammation. He's had his throwing program shut down twice due to setbacks, but the hope is that Monday's cortisone injection will be enough for the 28-year-old right-hander to get back on track with his recovery. Sandlin posted a 2.20 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and three saves across 16.1 innings prior to landing on the IL.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Hits snag in recovery process
Rotowire
Sandlin rejoined the Blue Jays in Toronto on Monday after he experienced some discomfort in his right elbow when he recently played catch out to 120 feet, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The Blue Jays will reassess Sandlin before determining his next steps, but the organization is hopeful that his setback is a minor one that won't result in a prolonged shutdown from the throwing. The reliever has resided on the 15-day injured list since July 8 due to right elbow inflammation.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Throwing from 120 feet
Rotowire
Sandlin (elbow) is ramping up his throwing progression and is playing catch from 120 feet, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Sandlin was shut down from throwing in late July after receiving a cortisone shot in his right elbow, but the 28-year-old has resumed his throwing program and is progressing well. Sandlin is still limited to throwing on flat ground, so it appears he's multiple weeks away from returning.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Throwing program paused
Rotowire
Sandlin will be shut down from throwing for a week after receiving a cortisone shot in his right elbow, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Sandlin was recently cleared to begin playing catch after landing on the injured list July 8 with elbow inflammation, but the Jays will now shut him down temporarily and see how he responds to his injection. Once the no-throw period is finished, a clearer timeline for the 28-year-old's return may begin to emerge.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Placed on 15-day IL
Rotowire
Sandlin (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Sandlin returned to action June 20 after missing two months with a right lat strain, posting a 2.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with six strikeouts over 8.1 innings in nine appearances out of the bullpen. He will now likely be sidelined for another prolonged period of time as he deals with a second injury to his throwing arm, the elbow in this instance. Justin Bruihl was called up from Triple-A Buffalo to replace Sandlin on the major-league roster.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Activated from IL
Rotowire
The Blue Jays activated Sandlin (lat) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Sandlin hasn't pitched in the majors since April 19 but did make five rehab appearances ahead of his activation. Prior to his injury, Sandlin held a 2.25 ERA and 10:4 K:BB across eight innings of work. He should slide back into a middle-relief role for Toronto.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Rehab moved to Triple-A
Rotowire
Sandlin (lat) allowed four runs on four hits and no walks in one-third of an inning during Thursday's rehab appearance with Triple-A Buffalo.
Sandlin made a pair of rehab outings in the Florida Complex League and has had his assignment shifted to Triple-A. The 28-year-old allowed a pair of homers in Thursday's appearance, but, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, the Blue Jays are more focused on how he bounces back from the outing. He'll likely need another appearance or two before being activated from the 15-day injured list.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Tossing bullpen Monday
Rotowire
Sandlin (lat) will throw a bullpen session Monday at the Blue Jays' facility in Florida, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Sandlin has been on the shelf since April 20 due to a strained right lat. Monday's workout will represent his first time throwing off a mound since sustaining the injury. The 28-year-old will need to advance to facing live hitters before potentially being activated sometime in June.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Closing in on bullpen session
Rotowire
The Blue Jays are hoping Sandlin (lat) will be ready to throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Sandlin has been throwing on flat ground from 120 feet and is almost ready to test things out from the bump. The right-handed reliever has been sidelined since late April with a right lat strain.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Progressing in recovery
Rotowire
Sandlin (lat) has been playing catch up to 60 feet, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Sandlin landed on the 15-day injured list April 20 due to a right lat strain. He received a PRP injection to help speed up the recovery process, and he has taken the next step in his rehab program by playing catch. Sandlin posted a 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, one save and a 10:4 K:BB across eight innings prior to his placement on the IL.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Awarded bullpen spot
Rotowire
Manager John Schneider said Saturday that Sandlin will be a part of Toronto's Opening Day bullpen, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Sandlin has made five appearances in the Grapefruit League, surrendering two earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over five innings. He'll likely settle into a middle-relief role to start the year, though his ability to rack up strikeouts keeps the door open for a healthy amount of high-leverage opportunities.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Seems set for bullpen job
Rotowire
Sandlin walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
The former Guardian was dealt to the Blue Jays in January and appears locked into a bullpen spot, albeit likely only in middle relief to begin the season. Sandlin has posted an 8:3 K:BB through five spring innings with a 3.60 ERA, but he's behind Yimi Garcia and Chad Green in the pecking order for setup work in front of closer Jeff Hoffman.
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Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Avoids arbitration with Toronto
Rotowire
The Blue Jays and Sandlin avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.63 million contract Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca report.
Acquired from the Guardians via trade in December, Sandlin was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He held a 3.75 ERA and 68:27 K:BB across 57.2 innings with Cleveland in 2024.
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Guardians' Nick Sandlin: Working as opener Sunday
Rotowire
Sandlin will serve as the Guardians' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Astros, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Sandlin will make his second start of the regular season Sunday, with Gavin Williams expected to serve in bulk relief. Sandlin's first start came Aug. 26 against the Royals, when he allowed two walks while striking out two batters in one scoreless inning. Sandlin has a 3.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 68:27 K:BB across 57.2 innings this season.
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Guardians' Nick Sandlin: Picks up eighth win
Rotowire
Sandlin (8-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Wednesday.
The Guardians never trailed in the contest, but starter Matthew Boyd needed 95 pitches to get through 4.1 innings. Sandlin took over in the fifth and secured his first win since Aug. 12. Over his last 12 appearances, Sandlin has given up four runs across 10.1 innings with a 12:7 K:BB. He's now at a 3.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 63:25 K:BB while adding a save and eight holds over 52.1 innings as a middle reliever this year.
