The Toronto Blue Jays have signed left-handed pitcher Josh Walker to a one-year split contract. According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, Walker will earn $760K for time spent in the majors, which is the league minimum for next year, while he will make $180K in the minors. To make room for him on the roster, right-hander Hagen Danner has been designated for assignment.
Walker, 30, has limited major league experience, having pitched 22 1/3 innings for the Mets over the last two seasons, posting a 6.45 ERA. He struck out 22.7% of batters faced but also walked 11.7% of them. After being DFA’d by the Mets in July, he was briefly claimed by the Pirates, but was DFA’d and eventually released by them.
While his major league numbers aren’t strong, the Blue Jays are likely drawn to Walker’s performance in the minors, where he has been effective at striking out batters, albeit with control issues. In the last three seasons, he has thrown 89 minor league innings with a 3.54 ERA, striking out 33.7% of hitters while walking 12.7%. The Jays apparently found his minor league potential enough to give him a spot on the 40-man roster.
The Blue Jays are continuing to reshape their bullpen after a disappointing 2024 season. Toronto relievers posted a 4.82 ERA, the second-worst in MLB. The team has already parted ways with Génesis Cabrera and Jordan Romano, both of whom have signed with other teams, while re-signing Yimi García and acquiring Nick Sandlin.
Before this signing, the Blue Jays’ only lefty relievers were Brendon Little, Brandon Eisert, and Easton Lucas, all of whom are inexperienced in the majors. Walker’s addition provides another option in the competition for bullpen spots, and since he still has an option year left, he, along with the other lefties, could move between the majors and Triple-A during the season. If Walker remains on the roster, he can be retained cheaply for several years.
Hagen Danner, 26, was originally drafted as a catcher but transitioned to pitching after struggling at the plate. In 2021, his first season as a pitcher, he posted a 2.02 ERA and a 29.4% strikeout rate in High-A. He was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. However, injuries have hindered his progress. He spent most of 2022 on the injured list and made just four appearances. In 2023, he pitched 28 1/3 innings at Triple-A with a 3.81 ERA and a 31.5% strikeout rate. Danner made his major league debut that year but was sidelined by an oblique strain after just one-third of an inning. He spent 2024 at Triple-A, posting a 3.15 ERA in 34 1/3 innings.
Though his overall performance has been solid, Danner has struggled with injuries and the transition from catching to pitching, with just 114 1/3 professional innings under his belt. He also has only one option year remaining. As is typical for a player designated for assignment, Danner’s situation will likely be resolved within a week, but the holiday period could extend that timeline. The Blue Jays will have some time to gauge trade interest in him before making a final decision.
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