Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez is looking to find his way back to the Majors once again.

The 33-year-old last pitched in the MLB during the 2022 season as a member of the Minnesota Twins. He’s had stints in the minor leagues since, including a return to the Jays’ farm system with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in 2024. After being released by the Jays organization that same year, however, it seemed that any chance of him returning to the Majors was over.

That may not necessarily be the case, however, as Sanchez, who expressed a desire to return to baseball this past summer, has signed a minor-league deal with the Kansas City Royals. The deal will include an invitation to spring training.

Aaron Sanchez is signing a minor-league deal with the Royals, per @ByRobertMurray

He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2022 pic.twitter.com/sOWBnatUuG


— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) January 27, 2026

 

Sanchez has most recently been pitching for the Toros del Este in the Dominican Professional Baseball League, where he won the Cy Young Award thanks to an impressive 1.55 ERA through 46.1 innings. He racked up 34 strikeouts over that stretch.

Aaron Sanchez won the Dominican Winer League Cy Young Award.

In 46 1/3 innings, he posted a 1.55 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 9 walks.

Hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2022. #Royals pic.twitter.com/HghdAh2N1Z


— Jack Johnson (@JohnyJ_15) January 27, 2026

Though Sanchez’s career has been derailed due to injuries and inconsistency, he was once viewed as one of the top young pitchers in the MLB. 

Selected by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2010 draft, Sanchez’s breakout season came in 2016. His 3.00 ERA (which he posted through 192 innings) was the best amongst all starting pitchers in the AL. That season saw him earn his first and only All-Star Game appearance to date, while he also finished seventh in AL Cy Young voting.

Whether Sanchez is able to make the most of his newest opportunity remains to be seen, though being able to get some confidence back with his showing in the Dominican League shouldn’t hurt.

Lead photo by

Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images