Toronto Blue Jays release Connor Cooke, four other players ahead of Opening Day
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays have made another wave of releases.
According to the Toronto Blue Jays transaction log, catcher Robert Brooks, right-handed pitchers Jack Cushing, Connor Cooke, and Hunter Gregory, along with outfielder Braden Barry, have all been released.
Brooks spent parts of three seasons in the organization. Last year, the catcher struggled offensively, posting a .135/.218/.222 slash line over 142 plate appearances.
He did see limited action during Spring Training, appearing in five games and hitting .286/.375/.286.
Cushing, who signed a minor league deal ahead of Spring Training, logged just 2.1 innings during his brief stint with the club.
Among the group, Cooke stands out as the most surprising departure.
The right-hander showed promise in 2023, recording a 4.06 ERA and an impressive 2.71 FIP across 44.1 innings, along with a 40.6% strikeout rate and a 9.6% walk rate.
However, his momentum stalled in 2024, when he posted a 4.55 ERA and 5.56 FIP over 31.2 innings.
His season was cut short, and he ultimately underwent Tommy John surgery in January 2025. Despite his evident potential, durability proved to be a major obstacle.
Gregory, drafted in the same class as Cooke, had mixed results last season.
He finished with a 5.17 ERA and 5.56 FIP over 55.2 innings. While he excelled at Double-A with an ERA below 3.00, he struggled significantly during a short 11.1-inning stint with Triple-A Buffalo.
Barry, an eighth-round pick in the 2023 draft, has battled injuries throughout his professional career.
Across parts of three seasons, the outfielder has been limited to just 367 plate appearances.
His most productive stretch came in 2025, when he hit .290/.402/.376 in 127 trips to the plate.
For all five players, a change of scenery could provide a much-needed opportunity to reset and continue their development.
As for Toronto, the organization continues to make difficult roster decisions in an effort to maintain a strong and competitive talent pipeline.
With the season approaching, these players will now look to secure new opportunities elsewhere.
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