Toronto Blue Jays Sign’s Top Right-Handed Pitcher From Los Angeles Angels…
The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed right-handed pitcher Nick Robertson off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, according to MLBTR’s Steve Adams. The Angels had designated Robertson for assignment recently, and with a full 40-man roster, the Blue Jays will need to make another roster move to finalize the claim.
Robertson, 26, has some major league experience but has struggled with inconsistent results, despite some promising underlying metrics. Over the last two seasons, he has pitched for the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Cardinals, posting a 5.45 ERA across 34 2/3 innings. However, his high .386 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and low 65.1% strand rate suggest bad luck, while his solid 25.3% strikeout rate and 7% walk rate hint at better potential. His FIP (4.12) and SIERA (3.49) suggest he may be capable of better performance moving forward.
His minor league track record tells a similar story. Since 2021, Robertson has pitched 203 innings with a 4.39 ERA, 27.8% strikeout rate, 9.5% walk rate, and a 4.01 FIP, but has also dealt with an unlucky .326 BABIP and 66.6% strand rate.
Teams continue to be interested in Robertson’s strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Red Sox acquired him from the Dodgers in last year’s trade for Enrique Hernández, and the Cardinals then acquired him in December 2023 in a trade for Tyler O’Neill. He had limited action in the majors with the Cardinals this year, pitching 12 1/3 innings with a strong 26.9% strikeout rate and low 3.8% walk rate, but struggled due to home runs and an inflated .364 BABIP, resulting in a 4.38 ERA.
In the minors, Robertson has shown potential but has also struggled with control at times. After the Cardinals waived him, the Angels claimed him, and he pitched 13 innings at Triple-A Salt Lake, with a solid strikeout rate but control issues and poor luck leading to a 6.92 ERA.
Now claimed by the Blue Jays, Robertson has another option season remaining, so Toronto can evaluate him without needing to commit a major league roster spot. The team likely hopes that with some adjustments, Robertson can convert his strong peripherals into better results. If successful, Robertson, with less than a year of service time, could be a cost-effective addition to their bullpen for years to come.
The Blue Jays have faced injuries and inconsistent performances in their bullpen this season, leading them to trade key relievers and add numerous arms through waivers and small trades. Robertson is the latest in a series of reliever acquisitions as the team continues to search for bullpen depth.
