Toronto Blue Jays Bring Back Familiar Reliever Amid Bullpen Issues

With Erik Swanson and Ryan Burr battling injuries right now, the Jays have brought back Dillon Tate, who was with them at the end of the 2024 season.

Toronto Blue Jays Dillon Tate (33) throws to the plate during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in 2024. | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Amid bullpen health issues, the Toronto Blue Jays have brought back reliever Dillon Tate, according to a report from Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.

Blue Jays have agreed to a major-league deal with right-handed reliever Dillon Tate, per sources. Deal is pending a physical.

The Jays claimed Tate off waivers from the Orioles last Sept and called him up later that month. He made four appearances and was non-tendered in Nov.

Blue Jays have agreed to a major-league deal with right-handed reliever Dillon Tate, per sources. Deal is pending a physical.

The Jays claimed Tate off waivers from the Orioles last Sept and called him up later that month. He made four appearances and was non-tendered in Nov.

— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) March 10, 2025

He gave up two earned runs in 3.1 innings over those four appearances. Lifetime, he's a five-year veteran of the Orioles and Blue Jays, going 7-14 in 190 games. He owns a 4.09 ERA.

The Blue Jays had one of the worst bullpen units in baseball last year and have worked hard to rebuild it, signing Jeff Hoffman and Yimi Garcia to multi-year deals this offseason, however, they are now dealing with injuries to Erik Swanson and Ryan Burr.

It's unclear how long Tate will need to get up to speed, but he will probably break camp with the team if the injuries to Burr and Swanson continue to sideline them.

The Blue Jays are coming off a season in which they went 74-88 and missed the playoffs by finishing last in the American League East. In addition to adding bullpen help this year, they went out and brought in slugger Anthony Santander and premium defender Andres Gimenez.

They also added future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer on a one-year deal.

Toronto opens up the regular season on March 27 against the Orioles.

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