Dillon Tate DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Dillon Tate has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. This isn't shocking considering Tate didn't sign with the Jays until March 10. The right-hander hasn't pitched yet this spring, so he'll build up in the minors. Tate was a fairly reliable bullpen arm for the Baltimore Orioles for the past few seasons. In 2024, Tate registered a 4.66 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 27/12 K/BB ratio across 33 appearances. He figures to pitch in high leverage spots once he's ready to pitch in the big leagues.

The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to an undisclosed major-league deal with free-agent right-handed reliever Dillon Tate on Monday, sources tell Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The deal is pending a physical. Tate returns to the Jays after they claimed him off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles last September and called him up to the big leagues later that month. The 30-year-old former fourth overall pick by the Texas Rangers in 2015 out of the University of California -- Santa Barbara made four relief appearances for the Blue Jays and allowed two earned runs in 3 1/3 innings before being non-tendered last November. Tate will most likely open the year at Triple-A Buffalo as relief depth for Toronto. He has not lived up to his draft stock whatsoever and has posted a 4.09 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, nine saves, 170 strikeouts and 65 walks in 215 2/3 relief innings in his five big-league seasons.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Dillon Tate (forearm) faced live hitters in batting practice at spring training on Monday. Tate appeared in 13 minor-league rehab games last year while recovering from a right-forearm injury, but he never made it up to the big leagues. The good news is that the 29-year-old doesn't have any limitations in camp this year and should be in line for high-leverage duties out of Baltimore's bullpen in 2024. Veteran Craig Kimbrel will close games out for the O's with Felix Bautista (elbow) out for the entire season, but Tate could become useful in deep holds leagues if he can stay healthy. In his four seasons in the majors with Baltimore, Tate has a 3.97 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with eight saves, 53 walks and 143 strikeouts in 179 relief innings.