Blue Jays Bolster ‘Pen by Adding Seranthony Dominguez from Orioles: Toronto’s Postseason Hopes Rise?

By Oliver Wiener July 31, 2025 17:41

The Toronto Blue Jays made a high-impact bullpen addition on July 29, 2025, by acquiring right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez from the Baltimore Orioles in a rare trade finalized between games of a doubleheader at Camden Yards. This strategic move aims to fortify a bullpen that had shown vulnerabilities amid a crucial playoff push in the competitive American League East.

Domínguez, 30, brings a dynamic arm to Toronto’s relief corps, known for a blazing fastball that averages 97.7 mph and an effective splitter that generates a 30.9% strikeout rate this season. Over 44 appearances in 2025, he has compiled a 2-3 record with a solid 3.16 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 41 2/3 innings. Importantly, he boasts a career postseason ERA of 1.02, underscoring his ability to perform in high-leverage situations—a key quality for a bullpen tasked with securing close games in October .

Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed enthusiasm about Domínguez’s addition, highlighting his "really, really good stuff" and ability to miss bats. Schneider indicated that Domínguez would fill a critical setup role alongside arms like Yariel Rodriguez and Brendon Little, adding tactical depth to late-inning matchups.

The trade involved Toronto sending right-handed pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown, ranked #10 among Blue Jays prospects, to Baltimore. Watts-Brown has shown promise pitching at High-A and Double-A levels, posting a combined 3.54 ERA and striking out 115 batters over 89 innings in 2025. Nonetheless, Toronto prioritized immediate bullpen reinforcement over long-term prospect depth in this win-now move.

Toronto’s bullpen had been ranked seventh-best in MLB with a 3.66 ERA entering the trade, but had recently struggled, allowing 17 earned runs in two consecutive losses to Baltimore during the doubleheader day of the trade. The bullpen’s fatigue and inconsistency were exposed, with veteran reliever Chad Green displaced shortly after the acquisition due to ineffective performance, leading to his designation for assignment.

Domínguez adapted seamlessly to his new team, pitching a scoreless inning against his former Orioles teammates in the very same doubleheader, striking out two and demonstrating his readiness to contribute immediately. His presence reinforces Toronto’s late-inning pitching stability, critical as the Blue Jays aim to hold ground in a tight divisional race with the Yankees and Rays .

Manager Schneider acknowledged the challenges of Domínguez’s high walk rate, which stands at 13.7%, a notable concern that requires management. However, the upgrade over the outgoing Green, who had allowed the most home runs among relievers this season, is clear. Domínguez adds a hard-throwing, strikeout-oriented arm that complements the existing bullpen arms and allows for more matchup flexibility.

Beyond the raw stats, Domínguez’s acquisition sends a message that Toronto is committed to bolstering its roster with proven major league talent at the deadline, emphasizing pitching reliability as the foundation for postseason success. His postseason credentials and high-leverage experience enhance the bullpen’s mental toughness, a key factor in tight playoff scenarios.

In summary, the Blue Jays’ acquisition of Seranthony Domínguez represents a decisive push to strengthen their bullpen depth with an elite strikeout reliever possessing big-game experience. While not without challenges, such as a high walk rate, Domínguez’s power arm and clutch pedigree elevate Toronto’s late-inning options and raise their postseason hopes as the 2025 campaign enters its final stretch. This trade typifies Toronto’s aggressive approach to remain competitive in one of baseball’s most challenging divisions.