Blue Jays Inform Red Sox’s Rule 5 Pick He Won’t Make Opening Day Roster originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox could soon get some pitching depth back in the organization.
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The Toronto Blue Jays selected Angel Bastardo in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, but due to the right-hander missing the entire 2025 season, he had to be on the Blue Jays’ 26-man roster for the entire 2026 season or be offered back to Boston.
Ahead of Opening Day, the Blue Jays informed Bastardo he won’t make the team’s roster, according to insider Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
“John Schneider says Yariel Rodriguez, Jorge Alcala, and Rule 5 pick Angel Bastardo have been informed they did not make the team,” Davidi wrote on X. “Blue Jays still finalizing other decisions. The Blue Jays can try to work out a trade for Bastardo with the Red Sox, or simply offer him back.”
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Whether or not the Blue Jays will try to work out a trade for Bastardo is uncertain, according to manager John Schneider.
“I don’t think anything is imminent in terms of the next 12 or 24 hours as to what the plan is for him,” Schneider said. “We’ll just stay in touch with him over the next day or so.”
Bastardo had a 4.70 ERA in 7.2 innings in spring training, as the 23-year-old didn’t do enough to win one of the final bullpen spots for the Blue Jays roster.
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Boston signed Bastardo in 2018 as an international free agent for $35,000 out of Venezuela. The right-hander reached Double-A in 2024 before being left off the 40-man roster, allowing the Blue Jays to select him in the Rule 5 Draft.
The Red Sox will open their 2026 MLB season on March 26 against the Cincinnati Reds.
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