Nick

Sandlin

The 29-year-old hurler will add a fresh arm to the Angels’ bullpen while they figure out what to do with their rotation spot that was vacated with the demotion of George Klassen. Sandlin was off to a strong start through five appearances at the Triple-A level, posting a 1.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 4/3 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings.

Klassen had some strong moments this spring while allowing five runs on nine hits in 11 2/3 innings. He struck out 10 and walked five and showed some of the upside that made him such an intriguing prospect with the Phillies. His first full season in Los Angeles was not great, pitching to a 5.22 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 134/47 K/BB ratio in 108 2/3 innings spent mostly in Double-A. He will look to get back on track this season and potentially push for a mid-season call-up. Trey Mancini seemed like a good bet to win a bench job, but he hit just 3-for-30 this spring and may have to find a chance somewhere else.

It’s a significant step for Sandlin as he ramps up his throwing program. The 29-year-old righty is in Angels camp as a non-roster invitee this spring and has a decent shot at making their season-opening bullpen, if healthy. He boasts a respectable 3.19 ERA — 3.81 xERA — across 211 2/3 innings in the majors since 2021.

It’s a surprise that Sandlin couldn’t find an MLB deal. The 29-year-old had a 2.20 ERA in 16 1/3 innings for the Blue Jays last year and has a career 3.19 ERA in 211 2/3 innings out of the bullpen since debuting in 2021. He’s a good bet to make the Angels’ bullpen.

The Jays dropped Sandlin after a season in which he was limited to 16 1/3 innings by lat and elbow injuries. The former Guardians reliever has an excellent 3.18 ERA in 211 2/3 innings since debuting in 2021, but still no one thought it was worth claiming him off waivers and paying him about $2 million in arbitration.

Sandlin passed through waivers unclaimed after being jettisoned from Toronto’s 40-man roster and has been effectively been non-tendered after making just 19 relief appearances this past season in his Blue Jays debut. The 28-year-old missed most of the season with shoulder and elbow issues. He made 209 appearances for the Guardians over a four-year span from 2021-2024 before his inclusion in the Andrés Giménez trade last offseason. There’s probably another organization willing to bring him to camp given his extensive experience in the big leagues.

Sandlin has been out since July 8 with elbow inflammation, so he’ll be eligible to come off the 60-day IL as soon as Saturday. However, if he is able to make it back, it sounds like it will happen closer to the end of the month.

The Jays remain hopeful that it’s a minor issue and that he’ll be able to start ramping back up after a week of rest. There’s still no clear timeline for when he may be able to rejoin the team’s bullpen.

It certainly doesn’t sound good, but there’s no official word from Toronto regarding the severity of the issue. The 28-year-old righty will presumably undergo further evaluation and testing to determine how much time he’s going to miss. The 28-year-old righty has compiled a strong 2.20 ERA and 16/8 K/BB ratio across 16 1/3 innings (19 appearances). It’s his second trip to the injured list this season during his Blue Jays debut.

Sandlin had been shelved since April 20 due to a lat strain. He made it through a minor league rehab assignment without issue though and is ready to rejoin the Jays’ bullpen. Justin Bruihl was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move on Friday.