The Blue Jays announced Tuesday that they’ve reinstated top prospect Orelvis Martinez from the restricted list and optioned him to their spring training complex. Daulton Varsho, who recently underwent shoulder surgery, was moved to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
It’s a procedural move. Martinez was hit with an 80-game PED suspension earlier this season and has completed that lengthy ban. Varsho’s season is obviously over, so moving him to the 60-day injured list creates roster space in the short-term while kicking the more pressing decisions regarding 40-man openings down the road a bit. Varsho, Will Wagner, Alek Manoah and Jordan Romano will all need to be reinstated from the 60-day IL at the beginning of the offseason. Ryan Yarbrough reaching free agency will open one spot, but the Jays will need to open a trio of other spots, which will likely be accomplished by outrighting some fringe players.
Martinez, 22, appeared in just one major league game before his suspension was handed down. He’s long rated among not just the top prospects in Toronto’s system but in the entire sport. He posted a .267/.346/.523 slash in Triple-A this season before being called up — numbers that align neatly with the .263/.340/.507 line he put up in a half season of Triple-A games in 2023.
The 2024 season should have marked an opportunity for Martinez to establish himself as a key piece of the Jays’ future. Toronto traded veterans like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Justin Turner at the deadline. Shortstop Bo Bichette has endured three different IL stints and will finish the season with only 81 games played. Instead, Martinez watched idly after testing positive for a banned substance, creating questions about his future both because he couldn’t seize the opportunities that would’ve otherwise presented themselves and because PED bans naturally trigger questions about the legitimacy of prior performance.
As it stands, the Jays will head into the 2025 season with Bichette, Wagner, Ernie Clement, Addison Barger and Leo Jimenez in the mix for infield reps. There’s been some speculation about a potential trade of Bichette, but all indications are that Toronto wants to take another stab at contending in 2025. Bichette would presumably be a large part of that effort, and selling low on him would be tough for the front office anyhow. Clement has had a strong season, particularly with the glove, but none of those infielders have played so well that they’d stand as a firm impediment to Martinez in the event that the top prospect forces his way into the mix. He’ll need to earn a look next year, particularly after sitting half the current season on the sidelines for disciplinary reasons, but the unsettled infield mix should create some opportunities — even if the Jays are likely to bring in some veteran help over the winter.
Darthyen
DFA – I would put Davis Schneider on that list as he will/should be non-tendered anyway, Horiwitz could probably net something in a trade but he can’t defend at all and lacks power as a DH, also some of the catchers as some will always be AAA players.
Next Year – They need two power bat outfielders that can roll in the DH spot with Springer, they also need a second baseman, a backup catcher that can catch 65ish games (Austin Hedges is probably the best of the FA) top of the order Starter, a closer and a lot of bullpen. As for the young players mentioned only Clement should be on the roster as a utility player the rest need to force the Jays hand at AAA. The Blue Jays can probably hold down third base with Clement and Vladdy until one of the AAA players force their hand. That IKF trade keeps making me shake my head ((and they paid money for both years)
bucsfan0004
Non-tender Romano
FemboySportsFan!
for one this is horwitz’ first year in MLB, and its funny how you say he “cant defend at all” despite him having a 1 OOA and his other metrics look good as well offensive wise….he has a 130 OPS+ also no power? he has 12 home runs as a rookie so far, which isn’t terrible and means he has power, it may not be as much considering its his first year, but he still has power.
avenger65
Oh, know! I had him on my fantasy league team!
BaseballBrian
Orelvis has left the building.
shyzer
“He’s long rated among not just the top prospects in Toronto’s system but in the entire sport.”
Uhhh, come again?
Blackouts are racist
Steve got a little loose with that phrasing
FemboySportsFan!
He is one of the best, well I think so…he has higher upside than a lot of dudes on the top 100 list. over 110 career MILB homers, over .830 OPS, is OBP and average are a little low but are still serviceable.