Blue Jays Claim Paul Sewald After Reliever Posts 24.55 ERA in Final Six Outings

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed Paul Sewald off waivers Wednesday after the veteran right-hander recorded 24 saves for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season.

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed veteran right-hander Paul Sewald off waivers on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, following his designation for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sewald, 36, joins a Toronto pitching staff while carrying a 6.23 ERA across 45 appearances this season. Despite recording 24 saves earlier in the year, the reliever struggled significantly in his final stretch with Arizona, posting a 24.55 ERA over his last six outings.

Sewald’s statistical profile for the current campaign includes 44 strikeouts over 39 innings of work. His season trajectory saw a sharp decline; as recently as June 19, his ERA sat at a much lower 3.18. However, a blown save against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 28 resulted in his demotion from the closer role. The 24 saves he secured this year rank as the second-highest total of his career, trailing only the 34 saves he combined for in 2023 while pitching for the Seattle Mariners and the Diamondbacks.

Roster Maneuvers and Wild Card Standings

To accommodate Sewald on the active roster, Toronto recalled right-hander Jake Bloss and immediately placed him on the 60-day injured list. Bloss is currently recovering from a shoulder injury. This acquisition comes as the Blue Jays (58-63) sit 3½ games behind the Texas Rangers for the final American League wild-card spot entering Wednesday's slate of games.

Sewald provides a veteran presence behind current Toronto closer Louis Varland. Since taking over the ninth-inning duties from Jeff Hoffman earlier this season, Varland has maintained a 1.31 ERA and converted 25 saves. The addition of Sewald offers manager John Schneider another late-inning option as the club attempts to close the gap in the postseason race.

Diamondbacks Manager Reflects on Departure

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo addressed the transaction on Monday, describing the choice to move on from the veteran as "agonizing" and a "brutal decision." Lovullo highlighted Sewald's historical contributions to the franchise, noting his role in solidifying the bullpen during the team's 2023 World Series run. The manager credited Sewald for stabilizing the staff before the pitcher dealt with injuries during the 2024 season.

Sewald’s tenure in Arizona was defined by high-leverage success prior to his recent struggles. He was a primary component of the 2023 roster that reached the Fall Classic after arriving via trade from Seattle. His departure marks the end of a stint where he served as the primary ninth-inning option for the bulk of the current season before his performance metrics inflated in mid-summer.

Bullpen Depth and Statistical Impact

The Blue Jays are banking on Sewald regaining the form that allowed him to average more than one strikeout per inning this year. His 44 punchouts in 39 frames demonstrate a continued ability to miss bats despite the recent spike in earned runs. Toronto’s relief corps now features two pitchers with at least 24 saves on the season, providing significant experience at the back end of the bullpen.

By securing Sewald, the Blue Jays add a player with extensive postseason experience to a group currently fighting for a playoff berth. The move signals an aggressive attempt to bolster the relief unit for the final weeks of the regular season, utilizing the waiver wire to find established arms. Sewald will look to stabilize his numbers in the American League East after his ERA more than doubled between mid-June and mid-August.