The Toronto Blue Jays have been dealing with several injuries to their pitching staff, and on Wednesday, they lost a potential option to pitch innings.
Chris Bassitt, the veteran right-hander who has spent multiple years with Toronto, reached an agreement with the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year, $18.5 million contract.
Bassitt has been a starter for the Blue Jays, even moving into the bullpen during the 2025 World Series run, showing his ability to perform both roles.
He entered free agency after a good campaign with Toronto, and Bassitt walks away with a good payday from Baltimore, which is playing for a 36-year-old with a long track record of pitching innings and staying healthy.
His official departure from the Jays comes amid the team revealing multiple injuries to their starting pitchers. Shane Bieber is looking questionable for Opening Day as he rehabilitates a forearm injury.
Additionally, Bowden Francis suffered Tommy John surgery, which will have him miss the season.
What is next for the Blue Jays?
Toronto still has a good amount of options in terms of starters with Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, José Berríos, Cody Ponce, Trey Yesavage, and Eric Lauer all in the rotation.
However, according to The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, the Blue Jays were in the pitching market, and while a Bassitt reunion is off the table, there are other options, namely Max Scherzer.
“The Jays, and every other big-league team, like to plan ahead. If the club wants to anticipate further injury, it will make another move. The Jays, a league source said, are still involved in the starting pitcher market,” Bannon wrote.
“There are plenty of rotation options left in free agency, including Zac Gallen, Zack Littell and Lucas Giolito. The easiest move, though, is a reunion with Scherzer or Bassitt, both key members of Toronto’s 2025 team who the Jays have been in touch with throughout the winter.
“For Scherzer, in particular, rejoining an organization he’s familiar with — and a rotation that probably doesn’t need him to make 30 starts — could be an ideal fit.
Bassitt put up a 2.1 bWAR in 32 appearances, totaling a 3.96 ERA in 2025. He would have been a solid option to hold water until Bieber gets healthy and potentially covers a bullpen injury.
Now, alternatives like Max Scherzer may be moves the front office can pivot on.
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