Toronto Blue Jays release another pitcher ahead of Opening Day

Per the organization's official transactions log, the Blue Jays have released 29-year-old right-hander Jack Cushing.

The Oklahoma product is a 22nd-round draft pick of the former Oakland Athletics back in 2019 after spending four years at Georgetown University.

Up until this past offseason, Cushing has spent the past six years in the Athletics minor league system, advancing to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Cushing got a bit of experience following the draft, making 13 appearances between Rookie Ball and Low-A before the end of the season.

The pitcher was on the sidelines when the minor league season was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and returned to the diamond in 2021, advancing to Double-A.

Since 2022, Cushing has spent most of his pro career split between the Double-A and Triple-A rankings, working mostly as a starter until 2024, when he began to make the transition to being used more as a bullpen arm.

In 2024, Cushing posted a 3.77 ERA across two levels, finding more success in Double-A Midland (2.86 ERA and 1.091 WHIP through 44 IP) compared to Triple-A Las Vegas (5.01 ERA and 1.577 WHIP through 32 1/3 IP).

Last season, Cushing spent the entire campaign in Las Vegas, amassing a 6.67 ERA and a 1.594 WHIP through 79 2/3 innings.

He appeared in 38 games (six starts) and struck out 83 batters (9.4 K/9) compared to a 3.2 BB/9. Opposing bats posted an 11.2 H/9 and a .298 average on the veteran minor leaguer, with a .348 BABIP.

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