The Toronto Blue Jays have officially claimed outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. The transaction was announced after reports indicated the Blue Jays were set to acquire the player. Martin Jr. has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
To create a spot on the 40-man roster for Martin Jr., Addison Barger was moved to the 60-day injured list. Barger has reportedly been sidelined for over 60 days and is not close to returning to play.
Martin Jr.’s Journey to the Blue Jays
Martin Jr., who is 30 years old, had not yet made his major league debut prior to this move. He secured a spot on a 40-man roster only a few days before being claimed by the Blue Jays. His professional journey began in 2014 when he was a 25th-round draft pick for the Kansas City Royals.
After spending several years in the minor leagues and playing for independent baseball teams in 2023 and 2024, Martin Jr. rejoined the Royals on a minor league contract. This contract included an upward mobility clause, which he triggered earlier this week. This clause led to his trade to the Orioles, who then sent him to Triple-A Norfolk before designating him for assignment.
The Orioles had reportedly hoped to clear Martin Jr. through waivers to retain him as non-roster depth, but the Blue Jays intervened to claim him.
Performance and Potential Impact
Martin Jr. has shown strong performance at the plate this season, splitting his time between Double-A and Triple-A. Across 255 plate appearances, he has a combined slash line of .284/.414/.441 and a 127 wRC+. His walk rate stands at 16.1%, which is considered excellent, while his strikeout rate is around 23.5%.
Although he is listed at 5’8″ and 155 pounds and does not possess significant power, with eight home runs this year, he is noted for his speed on the bases. He has generally stolen around 30 bases per year, reaching 39 last year and already accumulating 33 this season.
For the Blue Jays, Martin Jr. provides speed and can be kept in Triple-A due to his full slate of options. His offensive contributions would be considered a bonus.
Blue Jays Outfield Situation
The Blue Jays’ current outfield options include Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, Yohendrick Piñango, George Springer, Myles Straw, and Davis Schneider. Jesús Sánchez and Jonatan Clase are currently on the injured list.
Recent reports suggest the Blue Jays’ slide in the standings may position them as sellers before the trade deadline. Varsho and Springer are impending free agents, and while Springer has 10-and-5 rights, both could potentially be traded. Straw’s contract includes a club option for next year that may not be exercised, making him another potential trade candidate. Sánchez could be retained for 2027 via arbitration but is also a non-tender candidate and might be available for trade. These potential trades could create a path for Martin Jr. to make his major league debut in the near future.
The Orioles, before Martin Jr. was claimed, had a full 40-man roster. They had moved Chris Bassitt to the 60-day injured list as a corresponding 40-man roster move when they acquired Martin Jr. Bassitt has been sidelined since June 5 with a back injury that required minor surgery.
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Source: mlbtraderumors.com
