Toronto Blue Jays sign former All-Star pitcher in free agency

Injuries to several starting pitchers has forced the Toronto Blue Jays to hit the free-agent market.

The Blue Jays, who were expected to have one of the MLB's best starting rotations this season, have been ravaged with injuries in the early going.

Before the 2026 season got underway, the Blue Jays announced that Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and Jose Berrios had all been placed on the IL. This came after losing Bowden Francis for the entire year due to UCL reconstruction surgery.

Things have gotten even worse on that front, as Cody Ponce, who signed a three-year deal this offseason, suffered a potential season-ending ACL injury in his first start on Monday. 

In order to try and make up for all these injuries, the Blue Jays have signed veteran starting pitcher Patrick Corbin to a one-year, $1 million deal. He has subsequently been assigned to the Low-A Dunedin Blue Jays.

OFFICIAL: We've signed LHP Patrick Corbin to a one-year deal. He has been optioned to the Dunedin Blue Jays. pic.twitter.com/hj7N2U0wFe

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 3, 2026

Corbin, 36, spent the 2025 season with the Texas Rangers, where he compiled a respectable 4.40 ERA through 30 starts. It served as the first time since 2020 that he finished a season with an ERA below five.

Despite his struggles in recent years, Corbin has enjoyed a 13-year MLB career during which time he's posted a 4.51 ERA along with a 110-142 record. His best season to date came in 2018, where he put up a 3.15 ERA in 33 starts with the Arizona Diamondbacks. That year saw him earn his second All Star nod after also receiving the honour in 2013.

Though Corbin is far from an elite arm at this stage of his career, he can eat some innings for the Jays as they work to get healthier. At the very least, he provides depth to a pitching staff that desperately needs it at this time.