Blue Jays Sign Relief Pitcher Lazaro Estrada to a Minor League Deal With 2027 Flexibility

Contract and Buffalo Assignment

The Blue Jays signed Estrada earlier this week, among a group of six players brought in on minor-league deals. Baseball America reported that Estrada was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Toronto also signed pitcher Josh Stephan, catcher Geovanny Planchart, second baseman Adrian Pinto, and outfielders Alexis Hernandez and Hedbert Perez. Estrada’s contract does not add him to Toronto’s 40-man roster.

Estrada’s Major League Record

Estrada has pitched in 10 Major League games with Toronto. He has a 1-1 record, a 6.64 ERA, 19 strikeouts and 11 walks in 13 innings.

A Season Between Toronto and Buffalo

Estrada opened the season with Triple-A Buffalo and was called up to Toronto on March 31. He went on the injured list April 5 with a right shoulder impingement, later moved to the 60-day injured list, and returned in mid-June.

Toronto moved him between Buffalo and the major league club until mid-August, when he was designated for assignment. After clearing waivers, he was optioned to Buffalo, where he ended the season.

Lockout Could Shape Roster Moves

The minor-league contract means Estrada can play in 2027 even if Major League operations are halted by a lockout. The minor league collective bargaining agreement does not expire until after the 2027 season.

If MLB owners and the players’ association do not reach a new collective bargaining agreement by Dec. 1, owners are expected to lock out players until an agreement is reached. During a lockout, Toronto would be unable to make Major League moves.

The sides last negotiated a new agreement in the 2021-22 offseason, with talks lasting into February but no regular-season games lost. The account says the sides and analysts are less optimistic this time. General managers are scheduled to meet in Las Vegas next week, and teams are expected to conduct more business than usual; a lockout would cancel the traditional December meetings.