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3w ago

Blue Jays Release Former Top Prospect Orelvis Martinez After Clearing Waivers

The transaction followed a DFA to free a 40-man spot for Alek Manoah.

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 18: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 and Orelvis Martinez #13 of Toronto Blue Jays talk before play against the Boston Red Sox in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 18, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 18: Orelvis Martinez #13 of Toronto Blue Jays looks on ahead of playing against the Boston Red Sox in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 18, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
Mar 16, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Orelvis Martinez (13) throws to first for an out against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Martinez went unclaimed on waivers and was released to free agency, as reflected on MLB.com’s transaction log.
  • The 23-year-old was on the Triple-A injured list with an undisclosed issue, and once designated for assignment he could not be outrighted while hurt.
  • Toronto could have opened the roster spot by placing him on the MLB 60-day IL, a choice that would have triggered roughly $70,000 in prorated major-league salary, per MLB Trade Rumors’ analysis.
  • His 2025 performance at Triple-A Buffalo cratered to a .176/.288/.348 line with 13 home runs and a 28.4% strikeout rate, eroding his market value.
  • He debuted in MLB in 2024 with a 1-for-3 game, then served an 80-game PED suspension announced five days later; originally signed in 2018 for $3.5 million, he had been ranked Toronto’s No. 2 prospect in 2024.