Toronto Blue Jays decide to sign free agent catcher

The Blue Jays' transaction log shows Toronto signed Ortega, a catcher, to a minor league contract on Thursday. It is the kind of line-item move that can feel invisible now, then matter later when a farm system needs catching stability.

Thursday was also the official opening of MLB's 2026 international signing period, when clubs can finally make many of their handshake deals real. Toronto clearly went shopping in bulk, with Ortega part of a wave of new minor league signings.

What we actually know about Ortega today is limited, and that is normal for a brand-new international amateur. MLB's player page already lists him as a Blue Jays catcher, and Spotrac lists him as Venezuelan, but there is no public bonus figure attached here.

The impact is less about 2026 wins and more about organizational breathing room. Catching is a grind, injuries happen, and development is slower at that position, so stacking young options is just smart baseball.

For Toronto, this also fits the broader pattern of building from the middle of the diamond. The club has leaned into developing up-the-middle athletes for years, and adding another catcher gives the player development staff one more long runway project.

I am not going to pretend I have a scouting report on Ortega from a transaction blurb, and neither should anyone else. What I will say is that Toronto has a track record of finding real big-league value in the international market, and catchers can pop late if the receiving and throwing come along.

If Ortega turns into nothing, fine, that is how this market works. If he turns into a legitimate minor league catcher who can handle pitchers and keep games clean, the Blue Jays will be glad they made the bet on Thursday.