Toronto Blue Jays pitcher was having a fashion crisis when he got MLB call-up

Adam Macko was trying to update his wardrobe when he got the news that he would be joining the Toronto Blue Jays. 

The 25-year-old Slovakian-born pitcher will join the Blue Jays active roster after getting called up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut. That is due to Toronto reliever Tommy Nance being moved to the 15-day IL with right-forearm discomfort. 

It's always a dream come true when a player gets their first major league call-up, but Macko was in the midst of a fashion crisis when he got the news. Apparently, he noticed that all of his minor-league teammates were wearing collared shirts on the team bus, while he sat with a hoodie. 

According to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson, this spurred the young pitcher to go 'panic shopping' for new shirts.

Adam Macko says that he was “panic shopping for collared shirts” when Pete Walker called to tell him he’s a big-leaguer:

“Everybody was wearing collared shirts on the bus. I was the only one in a hoodie. I was like, ‘This cannot happen.’” #BlueJays

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) May 17, 2026

Macko will get plenty of use out of those new collared shirts in the big leagues, where a certain level of professionalism is expected. It was perhaps the best time to head out and liven up the gameday fits. 

It's been quite a journey for Macko to get to his level, and one that has taken him across the globe. He was born in Slovakia, but also spent some time in Ireland during his youth before his family settled in Canada. 

His MLB debut, coming against the Detroit Tigers, is fitting. Matheson also reported that Macko became a Tigers fan while living in Ireland, citing the legendary Justin Verlander as an inspiration. 

That did change once he came to Canada. 

Adam Macko became a Tigers fan when he moved from Slovakia to Ireland at 11, watching Justin Verlander win the Triple Crown in 2011. Then, a #BlueJays fan when he moved to Canada.

“It’s funny how things all work out together to be the most perfect scenario I could ever imagine.”

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) May 17, 2026

He is currently the 21st-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays organization, and recently represented Canada at the 2026 WBC. Throughout 18 innings in Triple-A Buffalo this season, Macko has allowed nine hits, nine earned runs, and eight walks.

Macko initially joined the Blue Jays organization after being traded to Toronto alongside Erik Swanson from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Teoscar Hernández in 2022. 

While the jury is still out on how he will fare with the Blue Jays, he will certainly look the part after his latest shopping spree.