Canadian pitcher not coming out of retirement to join the Toronto Blue Jays

The team's transaction log also didn't lie. So what's the real story?

According to Blue Jays insider Keegan Matheson, Aumont had voluntarily retired in 2020 after spending a year in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system. However, because Aumont also plans on playing for Team Canada in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, he had to come off the voluntarily retired list in order to be eligible to compete.

It was a paper transaction so Aumont could legally compete for his country in baseball's biggest tournament. According to several industry sources, Aumont doesn't plan on suiting up for the Blue Jays and Canada's Team plans on releasing him.

Once upon a time, Aumont was a 1st round draft pick and much-heralded prospect, one of the most exciting players to come out of Canada in recent years.

While he performed at a relatively average rate during his time with the Seattle Mariners, the team that drafted him, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and ultimately made his debut with the National League East team in 2014.

A starter in the minors, he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Phils and performed admirably in his first year, though was unable to replicate his success in the seasons to come.

After transitioning back to the rotation, he had a disastrous final two years and wallowed in the minors for several seasons before quitting baseball to become a farmer.

While he will suit up for Team Canada at this year's WBC, the tournament is likely Aumont's last hurrah. He is 37 and hasn't pitched in five years.

Let's hope he gets to go out on top.

Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Toronto Blue Jays sign free agent right-handed pitcher