Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher signs with the Kansas City Royals

Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Junior Fernandez has agreed to a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals for the 2025 season.

As the off-season continue to see more and more signings, many former Blue Jays have found themselves new home for the 2025 season while some former players like Eric Pardinho and Yimi Garcia are coming back to Toronto

Former Blue Jays pitcher Junior Fernandez has signed with the Royals

The news was announced yesterday that the Royals signed former Blue Jays pitcher Junior Fernandez to a minor deal worth an incredible $825,000 which also includes a major league Spring Training invitation.

Breaking News! The star pitcher of the #ÁguilasCibaenas, Junior Fernández, who throws at 99-100 miles per hour, has just signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals for $825K. And that's not all! He has also been given an invitation to spring training. A great opportunity for this talented pitcher! #KansasCity #Royals

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Fernandez spent the 2024 season with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan in the NPB but his season was cut short do to an injury that required surgery resulting in him being released.

Following the 2023 campaign, Fernández elected free agency and signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of NPB. Unfortunately, his career overseas was short-lived. An injury limited him to just two appearances in Japan before the Marines released him. -Morgenstern

The last season Fernando spent tied to an MLB organization was in 2023 when he played for the Blue Jays affiliate team the Buffalo Bisons but was released in August then picked up by the Washington Nationals.

Fernandez will likely play for the Royals Triple-A team but with the fact that he is getting a major league Spring Training invitation, fans could see him make his first MLB appearance this season.

Source: MLB Trade Rumors
Royals, Junior Fernández Agree To Minor League Deal

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Victor William

Editorial Manager, H&L Media

Victor William covers the Toronto Blue Jays and MLB for BlueJaysInsider.com, tracking roster moves, injuries, trade rumors, and free agency. He focuses on giving fans clear, well-sourced updates and is careful to separate confirmed news from speculation..