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Blue Jays acquire lefty Brendan Cellucci after Red Sox release

Jan 22, 2026, 6:02 PM20
(Update: Jan 24, 2026, 5:00 PM)
baseball team and Major League Baseball franchise in Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Blue Jays acquire lefty Brendan Cellucci after Red Sox release

  • Brendan Cellucci was signed to a minor-league contract by the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • He previously struggled with the Boston Red Sox organization, leading to his release in July.
  • The Blue Jays are optimistic about his potential impact as he returns to affiliated ball.
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In January 2026, the Toronto Blue Jays signed left-hander Brendan Cellucci to a minor-league contract after his release from the Boston Red Sox organization. The 27-year-old struggled during his time with the Red Sox in 2022, which led to his release in July. Following this, Cellucci played for the York Revolution in the independent Atlantic League and continued to showcase his skills in winter ball in Puerto Rico. Despite an impressive strikeout rate, Cellucci faced challenges with walks and run prevention during his time in Boston's farm system. During his tenure with the Red Sox, Cellucci made a total of 179 appearances, posting a 5.00 ERA over 259 innings, with 350 strikeouts, 184 walks, and 41 wild pitches. His potential remained evident, particularly after keeping his WHIP down while competing in independent leagues and Puerto Rico. These changes have raised hopes within the Blue Jays' organization that he could find success at the major league level, even if it might not happen immediately. The Blue Jays' pitching staff is undergoing significant changes, as they also recently signed other pitchers, including Dylan Cease and Connor Seabold, in preparation for the upcoming spring training. The team appears focused on building depth and options for their rotation and bullpen by acquiring experienced arms that could provide unexpected contributions. Seabold, specifically, is hoping to turn his career around after a rocky track record in the majors. Overall, the Blue Jays have been proactive in their approach towards enhancing their pitching staff. By signing Cellucci, the team demonstrates an eagerness to potentially capitalize on overlooked talents from rival organizations. The outcomes of these signings could have implications for the structure of their pitching staff for the 2026 season, as they aim for improved performances and depth across the board.

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