The Toronto Blue Jays shook up their roster this week by making a significant decision regarding former top prospect Orelvis Martinez. They designated Martinez for assignment in order to make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Alek Manoah, who was activated from the 60-day injured list and sent to Triple-A Buffalo.
Martinez, a 23-year-old talent once highly regarded by the organization, was signed in 2018 for a $3.5-million bonus. Known for his impressive power, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Toronto’s No. 2 prospect and earning a spot on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list after hitting at least 28 home runs in three consecutive minor league seasons.
However, Martinez’s career hit a roadblock when he received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. This year, his performance struggled further, with a batting average of .176 and 13 home runs in 99 games with Buffalo.
Meanwhile, Manoah, who underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in 2024, completed his rehab assignment and was faced with a decision by the team to either reinstate him to the active roster or send him to the minors. He will likely continue to develop in Triple-A as he prepares for a full return in 2026, having shown promise in his recent minor league starts.
Keyphrase: Blue Jays roster move