The Blue Jays have re-signed right-hander Lazaro Estrada to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America's Matt Eddy. He's staying in the only organization he's known.

Estrada elected minor league free agency at season's end. Toronto had designated him for assignment and outrighted him off the 40-man roster in August.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire pro career with the Jays since signing out of Cuba in 2018.

His patience finally paid off in 2025 with two big-league games. This year, he got a longer look with 13 innings over eight appearances.

A right shoulder impingement sent him to the IL for about two and a half months this season.

So what does Toronto have in him? A depth arm who can absorb innings.

Lazaro Estrada returns as Blue Jays bullpen insurance

The results haven't been pretty yet. Over 20.1 career innings, he owns a 6.64 ERA with a 12% walk rate.

His Triple-A body of work is steadier. In 133.1 innings for Buffalo, he's posted a 23.25% strikeout rate, with more than half his appearances coming as a starter.

Toronto has used him strictly in relief in the majors, sometimes as a bulk arm. That's likely his role again in 2027.

He has one minor league option remaining. That gives the Jays flexibility to shuttle him between Buffalo and Toronto.

This is a smart, no-risk move. Keeping a familiar arm who knows the system costs nothing, and the Jays learned in 2026 that you can never have too many bodies.

It's like keeping an old umbrella in the car. It's not the nicest one you own, but you'll be glad it's there when the storm hits.

The contrast with this week's releases is notable. Tanner Andrews, CJ Van Eyk and Beau Phillips are gone, while Estrada stays.

He'll have to earn his way back onto the 40-man. If injuries strike Toronto's staff again, Ross Atkins knows exactly where to find him.