TORONTO, CANADA – September 13: Addison Barger #47 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals front the dugout at a MLB game at Rogers Centre on September 13, 2024 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays now face a fresh hole in their outfield, and with the trade deadline approaching, the front office is actively exploring every possible way to strengthen its roster.
Adding to the team’s challenges, outfielder Addison Barger has spent virtually the entire season on the injured list, and his campaign has now officially ended.
While this acquisition may not generate the same headlines as a blockbuster trade, it provides valuable organizational depth at a time when the club urgently needs it, and it comes from a direct roster move within the same American League East division.
Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling reported that the Blue Jays have claimed left‑handed hitter Rudy Martin Jr. off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Martin is reporting to Triple‑A Buffalo and brings speed, solid defensive skills, and strong zone management.
The timing of the move follows the organization’s confirmation that Barger will undergo season‑ending elbow surgery.
Keegan Matheson of MLB.com noted that Barger’s right elbow surgery could require a full Tommy John procedure, with a recovery timeline of roughly nine months — potentially extending into the 2027 season — or, if an internal brace is sufficient, about six months.
Barger’s injury removes one of the team’s more versatile young contributors and heightens the need for capable outfield depth before the July trade deadline. Martin is not expected to join the major‑league roster immediately, but he offers another athletic option in the upper minors should injuries persist.
Martin’s strong offensive production this season suggests the Blue Jays may have identified an undervalued player worthy of closer evaluation.
Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors observed that Martin’s plate discipline and consistent hitting — 255 appearances across Double‑A and Triple‑A, a strikeout rate near the league average and an excellent walk rate — have put him on the radar.
At 27, Martin contributes speed, defensive versatility, and improved plate discipline, traits that align with the recent identity of the big‑league club.
Whether he ultimately reaches Toronto or remains a depth piece at Triple‑A Buffalo is yet to be determined. Meanwhile, with Barger sidelined for the remainder of 2026 and possibly beyond, the Blue Jays are already reshaping their organizational depth chart in preparation for an active trade deadline.