Spencer Arrighetti made just two starts for the Blue Jays after the trade deadline. He posted a 9.35 ERA in them, and that tells you how lost his 2026 became.

He totalled only 8.2 innings as a Toronto starter. Among Jays starters with at least five innings, he ranked 12th of 13.

The peripherals were just as ugly. He allowed 3.12 homers per nine innings and walked 5.19 per nine in that stretch.

The second half as a whole was a collapse. He posted a 6.28 ERA and a 6.59 FIP after the All-Star break.

His K-BB% cratered, too, falling from 10.4% in the first half to 3.7% after the break.

What changed? Mostly the fastball, which keeps getting punished.

Spencer Arrighetti's bullpen numbers point to his 2027 role

He allowed 15 of his 18 homers on the fastball this season. In 2024, it was 17 of 21.

The rest of the profile slid with it. His strikeout rate fell from the 79th percentile in 2024 to the 42nd in 2026, and his barrel rate dropped from the 50th percentile to the 19th.

There are still weapons. His curveball and changeup both posted positive run values, even as the other five pitches in his arsenal fell apart.

The bullpen was kinder. Over 62 batters faced in relief, he held hitters to a .196 average.

Stop trying to make him a starter. His best stuff plays in shorter stints, and Toronto has enough rotation questions without another reclamation project.

Forcing him back into the rotation is like entering a sprinter in a marathon. He has the speed, just not for that distance.

A relief role lets him lean on the curveball and changeup without working through a lineup two or three times.

He came over in the Daulton Varsho trade with real expectations. If the Jays want any return on that deal, the bullpen is where they'll find it.