Former Toronto Blue Jays all-star pitcher looking to make MLB comeback

Jan 24, 2026 (8:40 PM)

Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Aaron Sanchez just dominated the Dominican Winter League and his Pitcher of the Year trophy is officially forcing MLB front offices to pay attention.

The former American League ERA leader isn't just a ghost of Blue Jays past anymore. He is a legitimate comeback candidate for the 2026 season.

Sanchez absolutely torched the Dominican circuit over eight starts. He posted a microscopic 1.55 ERA across 46.1 innings of high-leverage work.

That performance earned him the Pitcher of the Year award. It is a loud statement for a guy who sat out the entire 2025 season to reset.

MLB insiders are now reporting that several clubs are kicking the tires on the veteran right-hander. This is more than just a feel-good story.

Check out the full breakdown of his award-winning winter and the teams circling his services for a spring training look.

We all remember the 2016 version of Aaron Sanchez. He went 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA and looked like a future Cy Young winner.

Then the blisters happened. Chronic finger issues turned a frontline starter into a journeyman overnight.

He hasn't touched a big league mound since 2022. His last stint in the Blue Jays system was a disaster in 2024.

That year he got tagged for a 7.92 ERA in Triple-A Buffalo. Most fans assumed that was the final chapter for the Sanchize.

The bleacher creatures at Rogers Centre still have a soft spot for the guy. They saw him help lead those 2015 and 2016 playoff runs.

But this isn't about nostalgia. This is about a 33-year-old sinkerballer who finally looks healthy and has his feel back.

In a league obsessed with high-octane spin, a heavy sinker that generates ground balls is still a valuable asset. Managers love easy double plays.

Teams are likely looking at a minor league deal with a spring training invite. It is a low-risk, high-ceiling play for a back-end rotation spot.

He needs a team that will let him lean on his natural movement. If the finger holds up, he could be the steal of February.

Toronto needs pitching depth, but the competition will be stiff. This award changed the entire narrative around his career trajectory.

He is no longer just another name on a list. He is a proven winner who found his groove in the winter heat.

Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider

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JANVIER 24\|387 ANSWERS Former Toronto Blue Jays all-star pitcher looking to make MLB comeback Can Aaron Sanchez make an MLB comeback?
Yes	166	42.9 %
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