Angel Bastardo: Everything you need to know

The Blue Jays returned returned Bastardo to the Red Sox on Wednesday. Bastardo was selected in the Rule 5 Draft last offseason before missing the entire 2025 campaign following Tommy John surgery. He didn't make the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster this spring and then passed through waivers unclaimed, so he'll now return to his original organization. The Red Sox could give Bastardo a chance to start again, though it's unclear whether he'll be assigned to Double-A Portland or Triple-A Worcester.

The Blue Jays designated Bastardo for assignment Wednesday. Bastardo was a Rule 5 pick last season but spent the entire year on the injured list while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 23-year-old is healthy now but didn't do enough to crack the Opening Day roster. Other teams will now have the chance to claim Bastardo, but if he passes through waivers he will have to be offered back to the Red Sox.

Bastardo won't be on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. It's not clear yet what the organization plans to do with the right-hander, who was a Rule 5 pick ahead of the 2025 season but spent all of last year on the IL while he completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Bastardo struggled to find the plate this spring, posting a 5:7 K:BB over 7.2 Grapefruit League innings.