Toronto Blue Jays Roster: Team Brings Back Pitcher on Minor League Deal

According to a report from Baseball America, the Toronto Blue Jays have brought back right-handed pitcher Lazaro Estrada on a minor league contract.

Estrada was previously designated for assignment and outrighted off the 40-man roster. He elected minor league free agency but now returns to the only organization he's known as a professional.

Now 27 years old, Estrada has been playing in the Blue Jays organization since 2018 when he first appeared in the Dominican Summer League. Lifetime, he's gone 19-26 with a 3.84 ERA in the minor leagues. He's appeared in 136 career games down on the farm.

Estrada has also appeared in 10 major league games over the last two seasons, going 1-1 with a 6.64 ERA. He made eight appearances in 2026, pitching to a 5.54 ERA in 13 innings.

As he has been, Estrada will serve as depth for the pitching staff, presumably in the bullpen. A starter for much of his minor league career, he made just five starts out of 19 MiLB appearances in 2026. He can help as a spot starter if needed, but his biggest contribution is probably as a long reliever.

Because Estrada is not on the 40-man roster anymore, he will be eligible to pitch in the minor leagues should the major league lockout extend into the season. The minor league season takes place as scheduled, and all players not on the 40-man roster are eligible to play.

Of course, the hope is that the MLB season will start on time and lockout issues will be resolved.

The Jays will arrive at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas on Monday in what will be the most meaningful few days before the lockout. The general managers meetings will last until Thursday and will represent the first chance for the Jays to meet with agents of free agents and with other general managers about trades.

No one really knows exactly how active the market will be in advance of the lockout, but the Blue Jays do have multiple needs. They have been linked to right-handed hitting outfielders in free agency, as well as a group of Japanese stars, and we made the case for second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. as a possible fit on Saturday.