Report: Blue Jays are bringing back Aaron Sanchez on minor-league deal

Campbell’s colleague at Sportsnet, Shi Davidi, later confirmed the news while adding that Sanchez is scheduled to report to triple-A Buffalo as a starting pitcher.

Sanchez spent the first half of 2023 at triple-A with the Twins organization before being released by the club last July. He signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks shortly afterwards in August but returned to the open market less than a month later.

The 6-foot-4 hurler held a showcase for interested suitors in Flordia last February, per Fansided’s Robert Murray.

After making his major league debut in 2014, Sanchez, a 2016 All-Star, spent six seasons with the Blue Jays from ’14-19. He pitched to a 3.96 ERA with 458 strikeouts while converting three saves — all during his rookie season — over 146 games (92 starts).

Toronto sent Sanchez — alongside Joe Biagini and Cal Stevenson — to the Houston Astros in exchange for Derek Fisher prior to the 2019 trade deadline. He has since appeared in the majors with the San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals and Twins.

Injuries and ineffectiveness have limited the Barstow, Calf., native to just 24 big-league appearances since 2021, during which he recorded a 5.29 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 60 innings.

The Blue Jays have been stockpiling depth arms recently amidst a lack of internal options, acquiring Beau Sulser and Joel Kuhnel to shore up a few spots on the Bisons’ depleted pitching staff.