Blue Jays' Angel Bastardo: Back in action after TJ surgery
Rotowire
Bastardo (elbow) has struck out two batters while allowing one walk and no hits over two scoreless innings through his first two Grapefruit League appearances.
Bastardo appears to be back to full health after he was sidelined for all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. After selecting the right-hander in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, Toronto kept him on the injured list all of last season. Now that he's healthy again, Bastardo will have to spend at least 90 days on the Blue Jays' active roster in 2026, or else Toronto will have to offer him back to the Red Sox.
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Blue Jays' Angel Bastardo: Poached in Rule 5 draft
Rotowire
The Blue Jays selected Bastardo (elbow) with the sixth pick in the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.
Bastardo is recovering from Tommy John surgery that was completed in the middle of the 2024 season, so the Blue Jays may be able to stash him on the injured list for most of the season before easing him into a low-leverage relief role once he's completed a lengthy rehab assignment. Bastardo logged a 5.36 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB in 45.1 innings across 10 starts at Double-A last year before needing surgery, although his 4.28 FIP and 3.63 xFIP suggest he deserved a lower ERA. The Jays can stretch Bastardo back out as a starter in 2026 if they hold on to him in the majors/on the IL all season.
