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The Blue Jays beefed up their bullpen in a big way just two days before MLB’s trade deadline.
Between games of their Tuesday doubleheader, Toronto traded for reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles, giving up pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown in the deal.
Dominguez stands out as one of the hardest-throwing relievers in baseball, with his fastball clocking in at an average of 97.8 mph, placing him in the 94th percentile among all pitchers.
The Orioles previously acquired the 30-year-old from the Phillies last season. After a turbulent 2024, he has improved significantly, reducing his home runs allowed per nine innings from 2.4 last year to just 0.9 this season.
Overall, the right-hander has a 3.24 ERA (3.47 FIP) with 54 strikeouts over 41 2/3 innings.
With the move, Toronto adds a key piece to its bullpen that ranks 17th in bullpen ERA (3.94) and seventh in WHIP (1.23).
The Blue Jays have surged into the American League East lead over the past month and hold a five-game edge over the scuffling Yankees, who have already shored up their infield with the acquisitions of Ryan McMahon of the Rockies and Amed Rosario from the Nationals.
On the flip side, the Orioles sold a second hard-throwing reliever in the last week after they dealt lefty Gregory Soto to the Mets.
Baltimore came into the year with sky-high expectations after two straight seasons of postseason berths and a young core in tow.
But things have veered off course for the Orioles, who sit in last place in the AL East at 49-58 — the only team in the division with a record below .500.
Watts-Brown, going back to Baltimore, ranked 10th in Toronto’s farm system on MLB Pipeline, thanks in part to a 60-grade slider.
In 11 starts at Double-A this year, he holds a 3.48 ERA with 53 strikeouts.