Blue Jays – Toronto recalled left-hander Brendon Little from Triple-A Buffalo, replacing right-hander Chad Dallas. The move follows Little’s strong minor-league numbers and an April struggles stretch in his first MLB starts, with manager John Schneider signaling Toronto i
The Toronto Blue Jays brought Brendon Little back into the bullpen picture Friday, a decision that arrives with a clear message: the gap between Triple-A form and big-league results can’t stay open forever.
Little, a left-handed reliever, was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo after being optioned down earlier this season. In the minors, he posted a 2.31 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 19 walks across 24 appearances. It’s the kind of output that earns a return call—especially after a rocky start to 2026 in Toronto.
Chad Dallas, the corresponding move, was optioned back to Buffalo.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider addressed the decision directly. “He’s getting pretty close,” Schneider said to reporters Friday. “I know it’s been up and down for him, but I think there’s going to come a point in time where you’ve got to see if that stuff is going to translate back up here.”
Little’s first major-league stretch of 2026 didn’t match his recent minor-league sharpness. Through 3.2 innings, he posted a 24.55 ERA, allowing three walks and three homers. The damage included two home runs—one each to lefties Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery—in a 6-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on April 4.
Even so, the story doesn’t end there. Little also struggled over the back half of 2025, posting a 4.22 ERA and issuing 24 walks over 32 innings. But the part Toronto has to remember is what came before: over the first half of 2025. he was dominant. striking out 52 and posting a 1.98 ERA. Last season, his 91 strikeouts led all left-handed relievers.
Now, the Blue Jays will have two lefties available in the bullpen. They’d rolled with only one since Adam Macko was optioned back to Triple-A on June 9. and Little’s return reshapes that group again—at a moment when Toronto seems ready to find out whether his latest improvements can survive the jump back up.
Toronto’s next test comes quickly. The Blue Jays will play Game 1 of their weekend series at Wrigley starting Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Toronto Blue Jays Brendon Little Chad Dallas Buffalo Bisons John Schneider Munetaka Murakami Colson Montgomery bullpen moves Triple-A recall
Why did they option him down in the first place if he’s gonna get recalled anyway lol
24.55 ERA in his first starts is wild, but “he’s getting pretty close”?? That’s such a manager answer. If he gives up 3 homers again I’m done pretending this is fine.
Wait so they recalled Brendon Little to “bullpen picture” but he was in Triple-A right? So basically he’s coming back as a starter? I swear bullpens and starting pitchers get mixed up in these articles, unless I’m missing something. Also Murakami and Montgomery hitting homers… sounds like a coaching problem? Not sure.
I don’t even care about the ERA numbers, I care about vibes. Toronto always does this thing where they send someone down, then bring them back when it’s convenient. Wrigley too? That’s gonna be rough. Chad Dallas going back to Buffalo like he never mattered…