Fitzpatrick: Rogers talked with Gausman before signing with Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays have added veteran sidearm Tyler Rogers to their bullpen. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays
December 19, 2025
By Trevor Fitzpatrick
Canadian Baseball Network
The Toronto Blue Jays officially signed right-hander Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37-million deal, on Dec. 15,
“When the American League champs give you a call, you kind of perk up and get excited about that,” Rogers told the media during a conference call on Friday, “The Blue Jays have a great reputation throughout the industry.”
The Blue Jays were the first team to contact him during free agency, according to the reliever,. He added that everyone he talked to said, “you’re not going to like it here, you’re going to love it.”
Starter Kevin Gausman was specifically mentioned as one of the players that Rogers had talked to – the two played together in 2020 and 2021 for the San Francisco Giants.
The 34-year-old Rogers is well known for his submarine style, which has continued to dominate hitters despite his lower fastball velocity which hovers in the low-to-mid 80mph range.
“I want everyone to know that every pitch I am throwing as hard as I can,” said Rogers with a chuckle, when asked if he’s run into any misconceptions about his pitching style.
Last season, Rogers posted an excellent 1.98 ERA across 77 1/3 innings which were spread out between the Giants and New York Mets.
In order to clear space on their 40-man roster, Toronto designated left-hander Justin Bruihl for assignment, and later traded him to the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations.
The Blue Jays are no strangers to unique arm angle pitchers. Adam Cimber had a great 2021 season for the team. Turning back the clock, one of the team’s best performances by a reliever came in 1986 when Mark Eichorn finished sixth in Cy Young Award voting.
While it is believed that some pitchers make the switch to a submarine delivery in an effort to put less stress on their arm, this wasn’t the case for Rogers.
As he recalls, he threw conventionally until his first year of junior college at Garden City in Kansas. His coach approached him about potentially making the switch, and the hurler went all-in on practicing what felt like a more natural motion for him.
There has been some chatter online about how striking the relievers’ arm angle will be for hitters, especially if he comes into the game after starter Trey Yesavage, who boasts the highest arm angle in MLB.
It’s something that, while he finds it cool, Rogers won’t be thinking about much on the mound.
“I’m always focused on what I personally have to do every time I’m out there,” he explained, “if it helps, that’s great, but I’m focused on each individual hitter.”
Where in the bullpen manager John Schneider plans to use Rogers remains to be seen, but with his excellent 2025, all signs appear to point towards higher leverage scenarios. Fans should have a better idea once spring training starts in February.