Tommy

Nance

Orze heads back to the minors to make room for hard-throwing reliever Tommy Nance to join Minnesota’s relief mix. The 28-year-old has struggled to an underwhelming 5.66 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 36/21 K/BB ratio across 41 1/3 innings this season.

The Twins were in the market for some bullpen help as they’re trying to fight for a Wild Card berth in the American League. Nance, 35, posted a 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 34/13 K/BB ratio over 33 innings in 32 appearances with the Jays this season. He’ll help to bolster the back end of the Twins’ bullpen.

Nance had a 1.99 ERA in 30 games pitched last year for the Jays and, despite missing time to injury this year, has a 3.82 ERA in 33 innings for the Jays in 2026. He’s ostensibly bullpen help for the Twins, though we can’t help but wonder if the Jays really think highly of him considering they’re also not far out of a playoff spot. Sprock, a 2025 eighth-round pick, has a .306/.436/.441 line for Single-A Fort Myers as a 21-year-old and was recently promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids.

Nance returns to Toronto’s relief corps for Monday’s series opener against the Phillies following a three-week absence due to forearm discomfort that put him on the shelf back on May 17. The hard-throwing 35-year-old has compiled a solid 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 24/8 K/BB ratio across 20 innings this season. He’ll continue operating in middle relief situations for the Blue Jays.

Nance has missed the last two weeks and change with right forearm discomfort. The veteran right-hander had a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 24/8 K/BB ratio over 20 innings in the bigs before his injury. He’ll be part of the late-game mix with the Blue Jays when healthy.

Forearm discomfort is usually a precursor to elbow issues, so don’t be surprised if Nance misses more than the minimum time on the injured list. Nance had pitched relatively well in his 19 appearances, posting a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 24/8 K/BB ratio over 20 innings of work. Adam Macko was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to take his place in the Jays’ bullpen.

The blown save actually went to Brendon Little, who gave hits to both batters he faced and took the loss in the three-run frame. Hoffman was down today after throwing 39 pitches the last two days, and the Jays also clearly wanted to stay away from Seranthony Domínguez, who is probably second on their bullpen depth chart. It doesn’t seem likely that Nance will get many more save chances.

It’s the first trip to the big leagues this season for the 34-year-old right-hander. Nance had registered a 5.74 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 42/7 K/BB ratio over 31 1/3 innings in 27 outings out of the bullpen at Triple-A Buffalo. He’s taking the place of the injured Ryan Burr (shoulder).

Toronto cleared out three spots on their 40-man roster to make room for outfielders Alan Roden and Myles Straw in addition to veteran reliever Jacob Barnes. No real surprises here, but Pop should garner some interest on the waiver wire as a viable middle relief option.

Nance gets booted from the roster to make room for Brett de Geus, with the Blue Jays making the most critical switch of the 2024 season before Wednesday’s game against Boston.