The Toronto Blue Jays have been hit hard by pitching injuries. They recently had to pull Max Scherzer from a start after two innings due to right forearm tendinitis in addition to losing Cody Ponce for the season.
Their injuries forced them to go outside the organization and sign left-hander Patrick Corbin to fill the hole. The veteran left-hander was recently called up from Triple-A Dunedin and will likely fill a rotation spot soon.
Manager John Schneider is excited about his new left-hander, and even shared some praise that Max Scherzer gave Corbin before he joined the team, as was posted on X Wednesday by Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.
““I think Max actually called him a ‘sled dog’?” Schneider said, according to Matheson. “It was the first time I’ve heard that. I guess he just kind of does what he’s told and pulls the sled.”
Corbin and Scherzer were teammates with the Washington Nationals from 2019-2021. The two won a World Series title together with Washington.
For most of his career, Corbin has been one a reliable, middle-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. In addition to his World Series ring, he is a two-time All-Star. He spent the 2025 season with the Texas Rangers, posting a 4.40 ERA in 30 starts and one relief appearance.
But Schneider seems excited to have Corbin on board for this season as the Blue Jays navigate their pitching injuries. The 36-year-old has won 110 games and posted a 4.51 ERA in his 13-year career.
The Blue Jays will hope that Corbin can help them dig out of the 4 1/2-game hole they came into Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers trying to climb out of. The Blue Jays had lost six consecutive games before their series finale against Los Angeles.