Right-handed reliever Nick Sandlin was outrighted to the Buffalo Bisons and removed from the 40-man roster, per the team’s transaction list on Friday.
The move amounts to an early non-tender, which signals that the Blue Jays’ front office was likely preparing to not offer Sandlin a contract during their upcoming arbitration proceedings.
Instead, he’s headed to free agency.
An injury-plagued 2025 season hampered the right-hander’s availability as he pitched in only 16.1 innings with a 2.20 ERA and a 1.163 WHIP while dealing with inflammation in his right arm.
The change makes room on the roster for incoming free agents as well as Rule 5-eligible players who need to be protected by Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. ET., in order to be safe from selection by other clubs during the draft on Dec. 10.
Toronto’s eligible players include top prospects Ricky Tiedemann, Yohendrick Pinango, Victor Arias, Josh Kasevich and Edward Duran.
Sandlin was acquired alongside infielder Andres Gimenez from the Cleveland Guardians this past off-season in a three-team trade including the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $2 million in salary during the upcoming arbitration process.
Other arbitration eligible players on the Blue Jays major-league roster include Daulton Varsho, Ernie Clement, Eric Lauer and Tyler Heineman.
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