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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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For Rudy Martin Jr., the road to the major leagues was long and the timing unexpected.
Martin was a 25th-round pick of the Kansas City Royals in 2014. More than a decade later, after stops throughout the minor leagues and a July waiver claim by Toronto, the 30-year-old outfielder is finally getting his chance with the Blue Jays.
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Toronto selected Martin’s contract Friday, Sept. 11 from Triple-A Buffalo, clearing a path for his major-league debut while designating outfielder Jesús Sánchez for assignment. The Blue Jays host the Baltimore Orioles later in the day.
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Martin, 30, is the opposite of a top prospect. After spending eight seasons in the Royals' organization without a promotion, Martin was out of affiliated baseball from 2023-24.
A whirlwind three-year tour of Mexico, the Dominican Republic, independent ball, and three major-league organizations eventually led Martin to the Blue Jays' top farm team in July.
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Martin entered the promotion hitting .274 with a .394 on-base percentage and a .421 slugging percentage for the Royals' and Blue Jays' farm teams in 2026. He hit 11 home runs, drew 55 walks and stole 45 bases in 369 at-bats.
Martin had only recently returned from the injured list at Triple-A Buffalo, which activated him Sept. 8.
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Sánchez is the corresponding casualty. The seven-year MLB veteran was acquired by Toronto in February. He hit .260 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 99 games before losing his spot on the 40-man roster.
The Blue Jays were on the hook for the $6.8 million contract Sanchez signed with the Houston Astros prior to the trade.
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Sanchez was an effective hitter against right-handed pitchers this season (.276/.333/.448 in 267 plate appearances), but the Blue Jays were awash in left-handed hitting outfielders. Ostensibly they felt better about their chances with Martin, despite his lack of big-league experience.
Toronto is 73-74 and still in contention for the third American League wild-card berth despite their losing record.
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