The Toronto Blue Jays just picked up veteran right-hander Jesse Hahn on a minor-league contract with an invite to big-league Spring Training. They’re hoping he’ll give them a little more depth behind a bullpen that got pushed to its limits during last season’s postseason run.
Hahn’s got eight MLB seasons behind him. Most of his action came between 2014–2017 with the Padres and Athletics.
Since then, his big-league ERA has climbed to 4.75 over just 30 1/3 innings. That’s a far cry from the reliability he once showed.
Arm injuries took him out for all of 2018, 2022, and 2023. In 2024, he mostly pitched in the minors.
He popped up briefly in 2025 with the Seattle Mariners, logging three games and five innings. Seattle designated him for assignment twice and dropped him from the 40-man roster.
The Blue Jays aren’t just looking at his past; they’re betting on what he might still have left. In 2025 at Triple-A Tacoma, Hahn had a 5.85 ERA, a 22.4% strikeout rate, and a 10.5% walk rate.
His groundball rate jumped to 61.8%, which is actually a good sign. He pairs that with a 95 mph sinker.
The slider’s now his main secondary pitch, with the changeup mostly out of the picture. Toronto’s bullpen looks set for Opening Day, but it never hurts to stash arms who can handle the grind in the minors and step up if injuries or slumps hit.
Early in his career, Hahn managed four MLB seasons where he was steady enough to stay on teams’ depth charts. Injuries got in the way and limited his chances to stick around in the majors.
He made it back to the big leagues in 2025, even if it was short-lived. That stint with the Mariners wasn’t enough to lock down a roster spot, but it didn’t erase his value as a guy who can eat innings when things get rough.
These days, his sinker still sits at 95 mph, and he leans on his slider more than ever. He’s all about getting groundballs, which teams love if they want to keep hard contact down and work more efficiently.
His BABIP at Tacoma was .361, which seems unlucky and hints the defense didn’t always have his back. Still, he’s the kind of veteran who can give you those middle innings when you really need them.
What This Means for Toronto’s Bullpen and Depth
Toronto’s move for Hahn feels more practical than flashy. The Jays already have a bullpen that survived a brutal World Series run, so this isn’t about finding another star—just someone who can cover innings in the minors and be ready if the call comes.
- Innings-eating potential—always helpful when younger relievers are figuring things out
- Triple-A depth for flexibility and keeping the bullpen steady
- Experience to help weather the injuries that always seem to show up
- Could step into a long-relief role if the pitching staff needs someone steady and adaptable
For the Jays, Hahn’s main value is as a depth arm they can call up in a pinch. He gives the pitching staff a little more insurance, which isn’t a bad thing for a team that’s already shown it can hang with the best.
The Spring Training invite gives Hahn a real shot to make the roster or at least lock down a spot at Triple-A. He could mentor younger pitchers there while keeping himself ready for another shot in 2025 or beyond.
Spring Training Invitation: Path to the Majors or a Valuable Minor-League Asset
For now, Hahn needs to impress during Spring Training and in the minors. If injuries or performance issues pop up, he might just sneak into the major-league picture.
The Blue Jays don’t see him as a frontline bullpen guy right now. They’re hoping he can bridge the gap when their bullpen gets overworked.
If Hahn can control his sinker and get more ground balls, he could turn into a solid depth arm for Toronto. Every inning is going to count this season, so having someone like him around matters.
The Jesse Hahn signing feels like a smart, calculated move by the Blue Jays. They’re adding depth without locking themselves into anything risky.
It’s low-risk, high-reward—exactly the kind of thing modern teams do when they want a resilient bullpen. And really, who doesn’t want more options if they’re chasing the postseason?
Here is the source article for this story: Blue Jays Sign Jesse Hahn To Minors Deal
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