Blue Jays acquire right-hander José Soriano from Angels in exchange for top prospect Arjun Nimmala and two minor leaguers
Toronto traded a package led by No. 2 prospect Arjun Nimmala to Los Angeles for 27-year-old right-hander José Soriano, who will join the rotation alongside Dylan Cease and Trey Yesavage.
Toronto received right-hander José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels in a deal that sent the Angels a package headed by No. 2 prospect Arjun Nimmala, a 2023 first-round pick currently playing between High-A and Double-A. Outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-hander Angel Rivero also moved to Los Angeles.
Soriano, who posted a 3.29 ERA with 127 strikeouts over 123 innings this season, will slot into Toronto’s rotation as the No. 2 starter behind Dylan Cease, with Trey Yesavage completing the top three. He is under team control through the 2027 season and the 2028 season, and the club may consider extending his contract, similar to previous deals with pitchers such as José Berríos.
The acquisition follows a separate trade with Chicago that brought Jameson Taillon to Toronto after the Gausman deal. Toronto’s front office indicated that the moves are intended to add depth and stability to the rotation for the remainder of the season and the next two years.
Nimmala, ranked No. 43 among MLB prospects, is a 20-year-old shortstop who has hit .265 with eight home runs and an .817 OPS across 62 minor-league games this year. The organization also retains other top prospects, including shortstop JoJo Parker.
Toronto remains four and a half games behind the AL wild-card lead, with several teams positioned between them and the third wild-card spot.