Tate has been a free agent since November, when Toronto outrighted him to the minors and he elected free agency. The Blue Jays originally claimed Tate off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles in September 2024, and he appeared in four games with Toronto, posting a 5.40 ERA over 3.1 innings.
After spending the offseason unsigned, Tate re-signed with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $1.4 million contract on March 12, 2025. He was optioned to Triple-A, recalled to Toronto, and appeared in five games with a 5.06 ERA over 5.1 innings before being designated for assignment. Tate cleared waivers and was outrighted to Buffalo on May 12. He returned to the Blue Jays’ roster on September 1 and finished the season with the team, appearing in six games and posting a 4.26 ERA.
The move to the Angels adds depth to their pitching depth and could see Tate back in the major leagues in the near future. Tate was a top-5 pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, selected by the Texas Rangers. He never pitched for Texas, later being traded to the New York Yankees in 2016, and then dealt to the Baltimore Orioles in 2018, where he made his major-league debut in 2019. Across his MLB career, Tate has a win-loss record of 7-14 with a 4.09 ERA.
Blue Jays Pitching Situation
The Blue Jays have faced struggles this season, with veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman enduring a rough stretch. In the latest outing, Gausman allowed six runs in the first three innings as Toronto fell 6-5 to the Texas Rangers in the series opener. Postgame, Gausman acknowledged the trouble, noting the high hit total and multiple home runs, and stressing the need to be better.
Despite the setback, Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Gausman for his durability, noting that he was able to pitch into the sixth inning and that saving three outs from the bullpen is valuable when a starter is struggling. Gausman’s current line stands at 4-6 with a 4.36 ERA.
Looking Ahead
Toronto is expected to pursue pitching help ahead of the trade deadline. General Manager Ross Atkins has indicated that adding starting pitching depth is a priority, though he emphasized that it is not as simple as just deciding to do so. The team already has five starters they trust, but acquiring more depth remains a goal, particularly in the starting rotation, to cover potential injuries and provide options.
Record and outlook
The Blue Jays stand at 39-42, positioned to explore upgrades as the season progresses.
