The Philadelphia Phillies entered the offseason knowing bullpen depth would be one of their top priorities, and that need became even more pressing after the club dealt All-Star reliever Matt Strahm in December. Losing one of their most reliable left-handed arms forced the front office to focus on replenishing that side of the bullpen as the winter progressed.
Philadelphia responded by making several additions aimed at stabilizing the relief corps. Former Chicago Cubs breakout pitcher Brad Keller was brought in to serve as a key setup option behind closer Jhoan Duran. The Phillies also added experienced major-league arms Jonathan Bowlan, Zach Pop, and Trevor Richards, rounding out a group designed to provide flexibility and competition. On Thursday, the team added yet another veteran to the mix.
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies have re-signed left-hander Tim Mayza to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. The move brings back a familiar arm and gives Philadelphia additional left-handed depth as camp approaches.
Mayza originally joined the Phillies late last season after being claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 31. He appeared in eight games down the stretch, allowing four earned runs across 7 1/3 innings of work. While his role was limited, the Phillies valued him enough to include him on their roster for the National League Division Series, though he did not see game action during the playoff run.
Interest in Mayza extended beyond Philadelphia this offseason. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported that the Boston Red Sox had also shown interest in the veteran reliever before he ultimately decided to return to the Phillies. His familiarity with the organization and opportunity to compete for a bullpen spot likely played a role in that decision.
The bulk of Mayza’s major league career has been spent with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he pitched for six and a half seasons. From 2021 through 2023, he established himself as one of the most dependable relievers in Toronto’s bullpen. His peak came during the 2023 season, when he posted an outstanding 1.53 ERA over 53 1/3 innings, helping the Blue Jays secure a wild-card playoff spot. During that stretch, Mayza was widely viewed as one of the team’s most valuable bullpen arms.
The 2024 season, however, was far more difficult. Mayza struggled early, and his performance declined to the point that the Blue Jays released him in July. While the season did not go as planned, the move eventually worked in his favor. After leaving a last-place Toronto team, Mayza landed with the New York Yankees, where he contributed in a limited role during their run to an American League pennant.
Now approaching his age-34 season, Mayza faces another challenge. He will enter spring training competing for one of the final bullpen spots on the Phillies’ roster. While his contract does not guarantee a place in the majors, his experience, past success, and left-handed profile give him a legitimate chance to carve out a role if he performs well in camp.
For the Phillies, the reunion represents a low-risk move that adds depth, competition, and a proven veteran presence to an evolving bullpen.
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