Blue Jays Sign Nic Enright to Two-Year Minor League Deal

The Toronto Blue Jays quietly made a forward-looking move by signing right-handed pitcher Nic Enright to a two-year minor league contract. This decision leans as much on long-term planning as it does on hope for one of baseball’s more compelling comeback stories.

Enright won’t throw a competitive pitch in 2026. Still, the signing lets Toronto keep the door open for his return to health in 2027.

Blue Jays Take a Calculated Gamble on Nic Enright

At first glance, signing a pitcher who just had Tommy John surgery might raise some eyebrows. But two-year minor league deals have become a pretty common way for teams to lock in upside talent without taking on too much risk.

For the Blue Jays, this move is about what Enright might become once he’s healthy again. The contract gives Toronto a chance to guide Enright’s rehab and development from the ground up.

They can make sure he fits with the organization’s pitching philosophy. For Enright, it’s some rare stability at a time when most rehabbing players face a lot of uncertainty.

Understanding the Two-Year Minor League Deal

These contracts offer something to both sides. Teams get early access to a potential contributor, and players get some financial security plus a clear rehab plan.

With Enright, Toronto basically has “first dibs” when he’s ready to pitch again.

Nic Enright’s Unconventional Road to the Majors

Enright’s path hasn’t followed a straight line. Cleveland picked him in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, and he worked his way up the minors, reaching Triple-A after a strong 2022.

But then things changed fast. The Miami Marlins grabbed him in the Rule 5 Draft, and just a month later, Enright got diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in December 2022.

The diagnosis turned his world upside down. He tried to pitch through treatment in 2023, but it was a tough, abbreviated season.

A Comeback Defined by Resilience

Somehow, Enright fought back in 2024 and put up strong numbers in the minors. That perseverance finally paid off in 2025 when he made his MLB debut with Cleveland.

• ERA: 2.03
• Innings Pitched: 31
• Strikeout Rate: 23.7%

Those numbers hint at a pitcher with the command and swing-and-miss stuff to handle high-leverage bullpen work.

Tommy John Surgery Changes Everything

Just as Enright’s career seemed to be gaining traction, he underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2025. That’ll keep him out for all of 2026.

The Guardians non-tendered him, and for the first time, he became a minor league free agent. The timing, while tough, let Enright enter free agency and look for a team focused on his long-term recovery instead of short-term results.

Why Toronto Makes Sense

The Blue Jays have a track record of patience with rehabbing arms. They value bullpen depth, maybe more than anything else on their roster.

With several Toronto relievers set to hit free agency after 2026, the club’s already thinking ahead. It’s a forward-thinking move for both sides, and honestly, who doesn’t love a good comeback story?

A Potential Bullpen Option for 2027

If Enright can bounce back to his pre-injury form—or even come close—Toronto might have a cheap, effective bullpen arm under control. He’s shown before that he can handle big-league hitters.

The guy’s life experience brings a kind of maturity you just don’t see every day. For the Blue Jays, this feels like a low-risk, high-upside move.

For Nic Enright, it’s just another chapter in a career that’s been all about perseverance.

 
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