On Tuesday night, the Toronto Blue Jays and left-handed reliever Joe Mantiply agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training’s big-league camp, the team announced Tuesday.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 21: Joe Mantiply #35 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 21, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Blue Jays Sign Joe Mantiply to Minor League Deal
OFFICIAL: We’ve signed LHP Joe Mantiply to a Minor League deal with an invite to #SpringTraining. pic.twitter.com/bKWOnA6Hej
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 4, 2026
A Look into Mantiply’s Career
Mantiply’s big-league career covers parts of eight seasons, posting a record of 11-13, an ERA of 4.54, and a WHIP of 1.347. Most of this came in Arizona with the Diamondbacks, where he made 250 of his 256 appearances.
Last season, Mantiply appeared in 10 games, pitching to a 0-1 record, an ERA of 15.83, a WHIP of 3.000, and opposing hitters hit .481 against the left-hander. He allowed 26 hits in only 9 2/3 innings, struggling to pitch to his form showcased from 2021-2024.
Mantiply’s best season came in 2022, when he went 2-5, with a 2.85 ERA, 1.083 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts in 60 innings. He made the All-Star team for the first (and so far only) time in his career.
How Does Mantiply Fit with Toronto?
Mantiply will likely start the season at Triple-A Buffalo, with Toronto already having Brendon Little, Mason Fluharty, and Eric Lauer as left-handed relief options in camp. Pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann is already experiencing elbow soreness in his return from Tommy John surgery, leaving a question mark on his role when the regular season begins. Toronto already optioned Adam Macko, who will pitch for Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic, to minor league camp.
As many Blue Jays fans remember, Little had a very tough 2025 postseason. In six appearances, he went 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA and a WHIP of 3.000, allowing two home runs in only four innings pitched. If Little struggles out of the gate, he could become an early candidate to be designated for assignment.
Fluharty is coming off a rookie year where the left-hander went 5-2 with an ERA of 4.44 and a WHIP of 1.139. Fluharty, like Little, struggled during the postseason, pitching to an ERA of 5.68, a WHIP of 1.895, and allowing an opponent’s batting average of .321. With options remaining, Fluharty could see time in Buffalo if he struggles.
Lauer appears likely to bounce between the bullpen and rotation, so his roster spot is one of the more assured things in camp. Last season, Lauer shone, pitching to a 9-2 record, 3.18 ERA, and 1.108 WHIP.
The addition of Mantiply gives the Blue Jays more assurance should any of their left-handers get hurt or struggle. Last season, the Blue Jays’ bullpen opened with Richard Lovelady and Jacob Barnes, underscoring the importance of depth over a 162-game season.
Main Photo Credit: Norm Hall/Getty Images