Sao Viet

BREAKING NEWS: Two reserve pitchers who were cut from the Toronto Blue Jays roster are now free agents to sign with other teams.

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by

Binh
in

 

Recently DFA’d Toronto Blue Jays Relievers Clear Waivers; Elect Free Agency

Two relievers on the wrong end of a series of roster moves from the Toronto Blue Jays are now free to sign elsewhere.

Left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming and right-handed pitcher Austin Voth have cleared waivers and have chosen to elect free agency.

Voth was designated for assignment April 6 and Fleming was DFA’d on April 7, respectively.

The Blue Jays, amidst injuries to the starting rotation and catcher Alejandro Kirk, acquired infielder Tyler Fitzgerald from the San Francisco Giants, optioned him to the Triple-A Buffalo Bison (both on April 4) and recalled him April 7.

Toronto also recalled recently-signed veteran left-handed starting pitcher Patrick Corbin, who made one start for the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. Corbin will make his Blue Jays debut against the Minnesota Twins on April 10.

Fleming had spent the better part of the last year-and-a-half with the Seattle Mariners organization with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He was signed by the M’s on Aug. 6, 2024.

The southpaw elected free agency at the conclusion of last season and signed a minor league contract with Toronto on Feb. 6 and received a non-roster invite to spring training.

Fleming began the season with Buffalo but was briefly recalled on April 6. In his one major league appearance against the Los Angeles Dodgers before being DFA’d, the 29-year-old struck out one batter, walked two, hit another and allowed four earned runs on six hits (one home run) in three innings pitched.

Voth, who also spent time with the Seattle organization in ’24, went all of last season without being signed to a team. He inked a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox on Feb. 16, was immediately assigned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, and was released March 20.

The Blue Jays signed Voth to a minor league contract March 25, assigned him to the Bisons and selected his contract April 5.

Voth made one appearance for Toronto against the White Sox on April 5. The 33-year-old righty fanned one, walked one and allowed one earned run on three hits in 2.2 innings pitched.

Seattle Mariners reliever Austin Voth throws during a game against the San Diego Padres on Sept. 10, 2024, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Stephen Brashear/Imagn Images.
Seattle Mariners reliever Austin Voth throws during a game against the San Diego Padres on Sept. 10, 2024, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Stephen Brashear/Imagn Images.

As mentioned in a post on “X” by the Athletic’s Toronto beat reporter, Mitch Bannon, both players could still opt to return to Blue Jays on minor league deals. The organization has practiced that approach in the past of DFA’ing veterans without minor league options and re-signing them to minor league deals.

Both Fleming and Voth, despite being considered low-leverage arms, have value to Toronto as long-inning relievers. With the mountain of injuries to the starting rotation, it wouldn’t be a shock to see either hurler take the mound again for the Blue Jays this season

Toronto Blue Jays two-way prospect LF/LHP Austin Smith to make professional pitching debut

Toronto Blue Jays two-way prospect LF/LHP Austin Smith at the Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Florida USA.
Photo credit: Austin Smith – Instagram

Toronto Blue Jays two-way prospect LF/LHP Austin Smith is set to make his professional pitching debut today.

The Toronto Blue Jays are set to take an intriguing step with one of their more unique prospects, as two-way player Austin Smith prepares to make his professional pitching debut.
Selected in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, Smith arrived in the organization as both an outfielder and left-handed pitcher out of the University of San Diego.
At 22 years old, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound athlete had already built a reputation in college baseball as a versatile and disciplined performer.
Smith began his collegiate career at the University of California before transferring to San Diego, where he played from 2023 to 2025.
During his time there, he posted a .279/.404/.372 slash line over 215 plate appearances, showing strong on-base ability.
His performance did not go unnoticed. Smith earned All-WCC First Team honors in both 2024 and 2025, was named an ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Third Team All-American in 2024, and finished as a finalist for the prestigious John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award in 2025.
Following the draft, Smith quickly transitioned into professional baseball, joining the Blue Jays’ Single-A affiliate, the Dunedin Blue Jays.
He appeared in 23 games down the stretch, focusing exclusively on his role as an outfielder.
Over 99 plate appearances, he hit .259/.394/.395, collecting 21 hits, including five doubles and two home runs.
SMITTY SENDS IT OUTTA HERE💣Austin Smith’s second homer as a pro is a solo blast in the 1st!
He also contributed seven RBIs and seven stolen bases, finishing with a solid .789 OPS while maintaining a perfect fielding percentage across all three outfield positions, along with one assist.
SHOW IT OFF, SMITTY💪Austin Smith cuts down a run at home!

Until now, Smith had yet to showcase his pitching at the professional level

That changes today, as he takes the mound for the first time against the Port St. Lucie Mets at Clover Field.

The Blue Jays now have their own two-way prospect! LHP/OF Austin Smith is slated to make his debut on the mound today in St. Lucie!

“I take what I can do as something special and I’m super excited to go out and do it today.”

As he begins this next phase of his development, Smith remains focused on improving all aspects of his game.
With his first full professional season approaching, the California native is prepared to contribute in any role the organization asks of him, continuing his journey as a true two-way talent.