The Blue Jays designated reliever Brett de Geus for assignment, as first reflected on the MLB.com transaction log. Toronto needed to create a 40-man roster spot after signing Jeff Hoffman this evening.
de Geus landed with the Jays on a late-season waiver claim from Miami. The 27-year-old righty made two appearances and allowed four runs across 2 1/3 innings. de Geus had made brief appearances with the Mariners and Marlins earlier in the year. He concluded the season with 11 1/3 frames while allowing 10 runs (nine earned). He struck out seven and issued four walks.
That marked de Geus’ first MLB action since his 2021 rookie year. He tossed 50 innings as a Rule 5 pick that season but allowed more than seven earned runs per nine. de Geus owns a 7.48 earned run average across 61 1/3 big league innings. He combined for a 5.31 ERA through 39 Triple-A innings last season. He posted a well below-average 15.6% strikeout rate against a decent 8.1% walk percentage.
Toronto is likely to place de Geus on waivers within the next few days. He has a previous career outright, which means he’d be able to elect minor league free agency if he goes unclaimed.
Across 61 1/3 Major League innings, de Geus owns a 7.48 ERA. His MiLB numbers are marginally better, as he combined for a 5.31 ERA through 39 Triple-A frames last season. He also posted a below-average 15.6% strikeout rate against an 8.1% walk percentage.
The Pirates’ 40-man roster is currently at 36, so they won’t need to make any corresponding moves to add de Geus. If he survives the rest of the winter on the 40-man roster, he will likely be assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis to start the season. He has two minor-league option years remaining, so the Pirates can hold onto him as a depth piece without risking exposing him to waivers.
The career numbers de Geus has posted don’t exactly bode well for his future success, nor does the fact that the Blue Jays are moving on from him after just two Major League appearances. However, he’s been on six different 40-man rosters dating back to 2021, so clearly MLB clubs have seen something in him even if the results haven’t been there. Maybe those results will come with the Pirates.
