Josh Fleming is officially in the fold.
We knew that the Toronto Blue Jays had come to terms with veteran left-hander Josh Fleming on a minor league contract earlier this week, but it became official on Saturday morning.
Furthermore, Blue Jays reporter Keegan Matheson of MLB.com noted that Fleming will come to major league spring training, as will right-handed pitchers Tanner Andrews and Nate Garkow.
About Fleming
The 29-year-old was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2017 MLB Draft out of Webster University. He made a career-high 26 appearances for the Rays in 2021, going 10-8 in 104.1 innings. A soft-tosser, he has only 161 strikeouts in 254.2 big-league innings. He's spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and spent 2025 in the Seattle Mariners system, going 5-5 with a 4.91 ERA at Triple-A. He struck out just 44 batters in 84.1 innings.
Can he make the team?
It doesn't feel likely, does it? Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce figure to make up the starting five in the rotation. Jose Berrios, Eric Lauer, Mason Fluharty, Yimi Garcia, Louis Varland, Jeff Hoffman and Tyler Rogers will make up seven of the eight bullpen spots.
Perhaps Fleming will get a chance to showcase himself enough in spring training that another team wants to trade for him, or will pick him up if he's cut, but it seems like his only opportunity to stick with the Jays is as minor league depth.
About Andrews
Now 30 years old, he was a 10th-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Purdue. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins and has never reached the majors. He has a 19-17 career minor league record with a 4.50 ERA, reaching as high as Triple-A. He pitched for the independent Staten Island FerryHawks in 2025, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 15 games.
About Garkow
A 28-year-old, he's been in the Blue Jays system, reaching as high as Double-A in both 2024 and 2025. He went 4-0 with a 3.19 ERA in High-A and Double-A last season, but he shined at Double-A, going 3-0 with a 1.22 ERA in 29 appearances.
While the Blue Jays have others ahead of him on the relief pitcher depth chart, there is a chance that he could surprise at spring training and put himself on the radar.
Also to know
Former Blue Jays player and manager Buck Martinez announced his retirement from broadcasting on Friday. He will not broadcast the 2026 season and will be missed.
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