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Blue Jays news: Toronto DFA's ex-Padres knuckleball pitcher
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Blue Jays news: Toronto DFA's ex-Padres knuckleball pitcher appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Toronto Blue Jays designated right-handed pitcher Matt Waldron for assignment Wednesday, ending his short run with the team only two weeks after Toronto claimed him off waivers from the San Diego Padres . In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays selected left-hander Brendan Cellucci to the major-league roster.
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Waldron, 29, appeared in four games for Toronto and recorded a 10.38 ERA with three strikeouts across 4.1 innings. He opened his Blue Jays tenure with two scoreless appearances but faltered in his final two outings.
On Aug. 12 against the Boston Red Sox , he surrendered three runs in the ninth inning and was replaced by Louis Varland with runners on second and third and one out. Toronto eventually won 6-4. Waldron made his final appearance Tuesday in the Blue Jays' 10-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays . He allowed two earned runs on four hits over two innings.
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The knuckleballer had previously spent time as a potential rotation option with San Diego . Across 188 innings during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he logged a 4.79 ERA, a 20.6% strikeout rate and a 6.5% walk rate. His results declined afterward, including a 6.67 ERA at Triple-A last year. He spent most of that season on optional assignment and exhausted his final option year. In 2026, he owns a 7.54 ERA while working primarily in long relief.
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Waldron was originally designated by the Padres on July 29 before Toronto claimed him off waivers. He is out of options, which contributed to his roster situation. Since he has not previously been outrighted and has less than three years of service time, he would not have the right to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency if he clears waivers.
Cellucci, 28, has cracked the big-leage roster spot and could make his MLB debut. A 12th-round selection by the Red Sox in 2019, he was released last year before joining the Blue Jays on a minor-league deal.
With Triple-A Buffalo this season, Cellucci has produced a 3.68 ERA over 44 innings in 39 appearances. He has struck out 24% of opposing hitters, while his 11.5% walk rate remains high. His 58.3% ground-ball rate has also stood out. Cellucci throws a four-seam fastball, sinker, slider and changeup and gives Toronto a third left-handed reliever alongside Mason Fluharty and Brendon Little .
The Blue Jays entered Wednesday 62-65 and fourth in the AL East, sitting 0.5 games behind the final AL wild-card position. They are also 7-3 over their last 10 games as their postseason chase continues against the Rays.
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