The Toronto Blue Jays announced that Bowden Francis will be on the opening day roster

Bowden has been playing extremely well for the Jays at Spring Training with a 2-1 record, a 3.38 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 4 BB & 15 K in 18.2 IP. This decision is no surprise as the team has been dealing with multiple injuries especially in their pitching rotation.

Francis had a difficult professional debut with the Arizona League Brewers, where he recorded an 8.10 ERA over four games. His 2018 season saw him split between the Class–A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Advanced–A Carolina Mudcats, achieving a 7–10 win–loss record, 4.50 ERA, and 106 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched. The subsequent year, he played for Carolina and the Double–A Biloxi Shuckers, posting an 8–9 record, 3.97 ERA, and 165 strikeouts in 142 innings. He kicked off the 2021 season with Biloxi before moving up to the Triple–A Nashville Sounds in late May, accumulating a 7–3 record, 3.62 ERA, and 65 strikeouts in 59 innings across 11 games at both levels.

Francis joined the Toronto Blue Jays on July 6, 2021, as part of a trade involving Trevor Richards in exchange for Rowdy Tellez. He was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons for the remainder of the minor league season, where he delivered a 6–4 record, 4.19 ERA, and 71 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched. Following the season's conclusion, he was included in the 40-man roster on November 19, 2021.

On April 25, 2022, Francis received a call-up to the Blue Jays, making a single appearance against the Boston Red Sox where he pitched 2⁄3 of an inning without conceding a run and striking out one batter. However, on June 18, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A. In the 2023 season, he began with Triple-A Buffalo, making four starts and recording a 3.45 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. He was called up to the major league roster on June 6, 2023, where he notched a 1.73 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 36 innings across 20 relief appearances for Toronto.