Blue Jays: Brendon Little has posted four scoreless outings since being optioned to Buffalo
Little appeared in five games at the genesis of Toronto’s 2026 season, and the results were underwhelming. He recorded 11 outs while allowing 10 hits, 10 earned runs, three home runs, three walks, and six strikeouts. Although the splits against left- and right-handed hitters were both subpar, southpaws hit a pair of home runs in six at-bats against him, eliminating almost any preferable pocket of hitters for him to face.
Couple those numbers with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP over the second half of last season, as well as some frustrating playoff outings, and his demotion just about seemed imminent.
On the bright side, Little has allowed two hits and no earned runs with five strikeouts in four outings with the Bisons. On the other hand, he’s also walked three hitters and thrown two wild pitches, although the impacts of some of those have been nullified by Little inducing three ground ball double plays.
The Bisons have utilized Little between the fifth and seventh innings thus far; multiple games were shortened due to rain or being one leg of a doubleheader.
Scoreless innings are a good sign, but we’re talking about a pitcher that the Blue Jays used in high leverage last season. The free passes – which have already been an issue for Little in the majors – still need to be cleaned up. The profile and swing-and-miss potential in Little’s arsenal is incredibly hard to ignore, and that’s what makes this entire situation so difficult.
Especially with Yimi García on the mend and a bullpen add sure to come near the trade deadline (given the season hasn’t taken a turn for the worse), the vacancy in the Blue Jays bullpen won’t be easy to find for Little. He’s going to have to do more than post zeros with the Bisons; he’ll have to find the balance of staying in the zone and keeping the ball in the yard.