Ryan Borucki Makes Emotional Return to Blue Jays as Team Strengthens Bullpen for Playoff Push

A Timely Return to Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays have strengthened their bullpen by selecting left-handed pitcher Ryan Borucki from Triple-A Buffalo. This move comes after Borucki was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he had posted a 1-3 record with a 5.28 ERA in 35 appearances. The Blue Jays signed him on August 25.

Specialized Role and Recent Performance

Borucki’s primary value lies in his effectiveness against left-handed batters. With the Pirates this season, he demonstrated impressive numbers against lefties, striking out 14 of 60 left-handed batters faced while holding them to a .132 batting average and posting a remarkable 0.75 WHIP.

The timing of Borucki’s arrival is crucial as he joins a Blue Jays team in the midst of an intense playoff race, battling to maintain their position in the American League East against the Yankees and Red Sox. As Borucki himself noted, this situation is markedly different from his time with the Pirates, with every game now carrying significant playoff implications.

A Reunion with Deep Roots

This move represents more than just a roster addition for the 31-year-old Borucki. He’s returning to the team he pitched for from 2018 through the 2022 trade deadline before being traded to Seattle. Notably, his current manager, John Schneider, was his first professional manager when he made his pro debut with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays in 2012. This connection spans from when Borucki was an 18-year-old prospect to his current status as a veteran reliever, representing what he describes as “the longest relationship I’ve had in this game.”

The Blue Jays’ management expressed confidence in the move, with Schneider describing Borucki as “a familiar face, a guy you trust, and can get lefties out.” To accommodate Borucki on the 28-man roster, the team optioned lefty Easton Lucas to Buffalo.