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Blue Jays Minor Leaguer Nate LaRue, 24, Retires After First Season as a Pitcher

His retirement is listed on Minor League Baseball’s official transactions page.

Overview

  • LaRue’s retirement was recorded Saturday on the MiLB transactions listing, confirming the end of his pro playing career.
  • In 2025 he appeared in 27 games between Single-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver, going 3–1 with about a 5.3 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 35.2 innings.
  • He moved from catcher to full-time pitching for 2025 after a difficult 2024 at the plate, following an ankle injury in spring 2024 that required surgery and staff discussions about a position change.
  • Toronto signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in August 2023 after he declined to sign as a 25th-round pick in the 2019 draft to honor his college commitment.
  • Analysis pieces suggest frustration with pitching results and limited advancement opportunities may have influenced the decision, though no motive has been publicly confirmed.