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By Jackson Roberts
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Toronto Blue Jays' aggressive actions in the Rule 5 Draft in December will be judged in large part by the decisions they make in the next couple of weeks.
Toronto purchased the contracts of right-handed pitcher Spencer Miles on Dec. 10 from the San Francisco Giants, a year after picking up fellow righty Angel Bastardo from the Boston Red Sox. Those players would need to spend the entire season on the 26-man roster or injured list to guarantee they stay in the Blue Jays organization, or they'd be offered back to their old clubs.
On Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com broke down the battle for the Blue Jays' final bullpen spot, and characterized both pitchers as being squarely on the bubble.
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"The Blue Jays’ competition is fascinating because of all the factors involved. There are two Rule 5 relievers in Spencer Miles and Angel Bastardo, both of whom would have to be offered back to their original clubs if they don’t crack the Opening Day roster," wrote Matheson.
"Bastardo has flashed some tantalizing talent in camp, so it will be awfully tempting for the Blue Jays to extend that audition into April."
Miles, 25, has just 14 2/3 innings of minor-league action under his belt since the Giants drafted him in 2022, having missed all of 2023 and last season due to injury. Meanwhile, Bastardo missed all of last season as well while recovering from Tommy John surgery, which is why he could still go back to the Red Sox this year, a rule that prevents a team like Toronto from gaming the system by stashing an injured player on the IL to keep him in the Rule 5 process.
Miles has two earned runs allowed and eight strikeouts in five spring training innings so far. Bastardo has yet to allow a run in 3 2/3 innings, striking out two. Every inning the two throw for the rest of the spring could mean the difference between staying in the Toronto organization or being forced into a big change.
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