Blue Jays Bring Back Speedster Rudy Martin Jr. on Minor-League Deal

The Toronto Blue Jays' offseason is officially underway, and the first move is a small one with a potentially big implication. Toronto is bringing back outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. on a minor-league contract, with the 30-year-old set to attend big-league spring training as a non-roster invitee. The deal was first reported by Ari Alexander of 7News. Martin made his big-league debut with the Blue Jays in late September, 12 years after being drafted, but totalled only three plate appearances. He did not record his first major-league hit, though he did draw a walk. Toronto removed him from the 40-man roster last week, after which he elected free agency, only to re-sign days later as organisational depth. The timing matters: Toronto declined Myles Straw's 8 million dollar option earlier this week, and Martin can do much of the same job — a speedy, right-handed outfielder off the bench — for far less. Martin spent most of 2026 at Triple-A, splitting the season between the Royals and Blue Jays organisations, and posted a combined .274/.394/.421 line with 11 home runs and 45 stolen bases in 53 attempts. The Royals drafted him in the 25th round out of Lewisburg High School in Missouri, and his speed has always been his calling card. He will have to earn his way onto the team in camp, but at his best he could be a platoon option without Toronto spending big.