Blue Jays Promote Rudy Martin Jr. to Major League Roster

The Toronto Blue Jays have promoted 30-year-old outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. to the major league roster, setting the stage for his big-league debut. To make room for Martin, Toronto designated outfielder Jesus Sanchez for assignment.

A Long Journey to the Big Leagues

Martin’s path to the majors began in 2014 when the Kansas City Royals drafted him in the 25th round, a selection round that has since been eliminated. Prior to his promotion, he appeared in 27 games this season for Toronto’s Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., posting a .253 batting average, a .351 on-base percentage, three home runs, and 12 stolen bases.

Roster Adjustment Involves Sanchez

Sanchez was acquired by the Blue Jays on Feb. 13 from the Houston Astros in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido. During his stint with Toronto, Sanchez posted a .260 average alongside eight home runs and 35 runs batted in. His .734 on-base plus slugging percentage ranked fifth among active Toronto players, though his play was also marked by several costly defensive mistakes.

Orioles Early Explosion Hands Blue Jays 7-4 Defeat

The Toronto Blue Jays dropped a 7-4 decision to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night before a sellout crowd of 42,111 at Rogers Centre. Baltimore quickly seized control when Dylan Beavers launched a leadoff home run on the game’s second pitch. The Orioles extended their advantage during a five-run second frame off Toronto starter Max Scherzer (2-8), powered by six consecutive hits including a Colton Cowser two-run double and a two-run single from Beavers.

Toronto Fights Back Late in Wild-Card Chase

Former Blue Jay Chris Bassitt (7-5) earned the win for Baltimore, yielding two earned runs across five innings. Kazuma Okamoto provided Toronto’s first run with a solo homer in the fourth inning, his 31st of the season. After the Blue Jays added another run in the sixth, Coby Mayo responded for Baltimore with a solo home run in the seventh to mark his 23rd shot of the year.

Toronto mounted a ninth-inning rally when Brett Bateman hit his first major-league home run, a two-run shot that capped a three-hit performance. The Blue Jays brought the potential tying run to the plate, but Rico Garcia secured his eighth save by getting Alejandro Kirk to ground into a forceout. The loss leaves Toronto (73-75) with four defeats in its last six contests as the team chases Cleveland for the final American League wild-card position.

Former Oilers Goalie Steps Away From the Ice

Goaltender Connor Ingram has officially retired from professional hockey at age 29. The Saskatoon native shared the decision Friday in an Instagram post, writing, “Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened. Thanks hockey, I owe ya.”

From the Minor Leagues to Edmonton

Ingram concluded his final professional campaign in 2025-26 as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, who originally acquired him via a trade with the Utah Mammoth. He entered the off-season as an unrestricted free agent upon completing a three-year contract valued at US$5.85 million. After earning his spot with the Oilers through their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, he ultimately took over as the primary netminder for the NHL club.

During his tenure with Edmonton, Ingram logged 32 regular-season appearances—including 30 starts—compiling a 16-10-3 record, a 2.60 goals-against average, and a .899 save percentage. He also suited up for five postseason games with the team.

A Five-Season NHL Journey

Originally selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round (88th overall) of the 2016 NHL draft, Ingram built a five-season career in the league. Across 134 total contests with the Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes/Utah Mammoth, and the Oilers, he posted a 55-54-18 record alongside nine shutouts, a 3.01 goals-against average, and a .901 save percentage.