Blue Jays’ Mason Fluharty set for third career start Thursday night in Atlanta

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider continues to call reliever Mason Fluharty’s name in all situations.

On Thursday night, with the Blue Jays looking to salvage the series finale in Atlanta, Schneider will turn to Fluharty as the opener

Fluharty has risen from a little-known commodity heading into last season to a pitcher who not only leads the Blue Jays in outings but also sits tied with Athletics left-hander Hogan Harris for first among all relievers with 32 appearances.

The 24-year-old earned his role in the Blue Jays’ bullpen this season after appearing in 55 games a season ago and going 5-2 with a 4.44 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 52.2 innings pitched. Fluharty impressed during much of the season with his ability to miss bats, highlighted by his 56 strikeouts over his 52.2 frames, and his opposing average against of .193, the fourth-best mark on the team among pitchers with at least 15 games pitched.

Fast-forward to this season, and Fluharty has picked up where he left off in his rookie season. Through his 32 games, Fluharty is 3-0 with a 3.97 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 22.2 innings pitched. Fluharty has struck out a dazzling 30 batters and has been hit at a .256 clip to begin the 2026 season.

Mason Fluharty will start for the #BlueJays tomorrow.

Lefty vs lefty.

Fluharty has worked twice as an opener in his career, with both times coming earlier this season.

The left-hander’s first career start came on April 4 during the Blue Jays’ eighth game of the season, in a 6-3 loss against the Chicago White Sox. The outing was one of Fluharty’s worst of the season as he turned in a line of 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, and was replaced by Lázaro Estrada to begin the second inning after throwing 20 pitches (12 strikes).

In Fluharty’s second career start as an opener, the results were much better. Fluharty squared off with the Detroit Tigers on May 16 in the eventual 2-1 extra-inning win for the Blue Jays. Fluharty tossed a line of 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, giving fits to some of the Tigers’ top batters.

Fluharty required 18 pitches (13 strikes) to get rookie-phenom Kevin McGonigle to pop out, Dillon Dingler to strike out, Hao-Yu Lee to strike out, and Riley Greene to also strike out while working around a leadoff single to Matt Vierling to begin the second inning. Fluharty was replaced by Spencer Miles in a bullpen game that worked to perfection.

During the first two games of the series, the Braves batted lefties Michael Harris II second, first baseman Matt Olson third, and switch-hitting second baseman Ozzie Albies fourth, giving Fluharty a tall task in getting the Blue Jays off on the right foot.

Fluharty faced this trio on Tuesday and was able to retire both Harris II and Olson via flyouts before allowing a single to right by Albies. Fluharty then was replaced by Connor Seabold, who retired Mauricio Dubón on a groundout, ensuring Fluharty’s scoreless streak hit six straight appearances.

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