The Toronto Blue Jays have re-signed left-handed reliever Joe Mantiply to a minor league contract, which includes a non-roster invite (NRI) to MLB camp. Mantiply spent the latter part of the 2025 season in the Blue Jays organization after being released by the Diamondbacks in June. Following a brief stint at Toronto’s Florida complex, he joined Triple-A Buffalo, where he allowed eight runs (six earned) across 15⅔ innings.
While his ERA was unremarkable, Mantiply showcased exceptional control, posting a 19:0 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 64 Triple-A batters. Despite not earning a major league call-up, the Jays were impressed enough to bring him back after he opted for minor league free agency in the offseason.
Blue Jays Bring Back Joe Mantiply on Minor League Deal with MLB Camp InviteMantiply Returns to Provide Experienced Left-Handed Depth in Toronto’s Bullpen Mix
Mantiply, 35, was a surprise All-Star in 2022, recording a 2.85 ERA over a career-high 60 innings. The southpaw relies on command, a sinker averaging 88.4 mph, and a well-placed changeup to generate groundballs. While effective in previous years as a middle reliever, he struggled in limited MLB innings last season, allowing 17 runs in 9⅔ frames.
Toronto’s bullpen features some promising but inconsistent left-handed arms, including Eric Lauer in a multi-inning role, Mason Fluharty as a soft-toss cutter specialist, and Brendon Little with more raw velocity but control issues. Rookie Ricky Tiedemann could contribute, though he is dealing with elbow concerns early in camp. Mantiply’s return provides depth and a reliable, experienced lefty option in a bullpen that has few established southpaws.
This deal positions Mantiply as a depth piece with the chance to compete for innings out of the bullpen, while the Jays continue balancing youth, upside, and veteran experience.
