The Toronto Blue Jays made their first move to bolster a bullpen in need of help ahead of Thursday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline, acquiring right-hander Seranthony Dominguez from the Baltimore Orioles for pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown.
The 30-year-old with a fastball that averages 97.7 miles per hour adds the sort of power reliever essential for contending clubs.
He pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Jays Tuesday night in a 3-2 loss against his former teammates.
Listed below are five things to know concerning the Blue Jays’ newest pitcher:
Growing up within the Dominican Republic
Seranthony Domínguez was born Nov. 25, 1994, in Esperanza, Dominican Republic. The oldest of six children, he worked at a automobile wash and chicken farm as a boy to assist support his family, who were dairy farmers. Domínguez didn’t start pitching until he was 13 after being told he was too obese and slow to play the sector. He says his parents gave him the name Seranthony after hearing it on a television show. He has a brother named Chrisanthony.
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Domínguez’s family lived near a ball field and, as a teenager, he spent hours there honing his skills, often until sunset. He was grateful to have a baseball glove and content to fashion one from a milk carton when the actual thing was unavailable. Dominican native Pedro Martinez was a favorite of the neighbourhood kids, and they might rush home to observe his games on TV every time they might.
Turning Pro
Domínguez missed most of three seasons with an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery in 2020. He injured the elbow in June 2019 and initially tried to rehab, going 421 days between the injury and the procedure. COVID-19 travel restrictions further delayed his recovery. He returned to the Phillies late within the 2021 season.
Injury/Tommy John surgery
Domínguez missed most of three seasons with an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery in 2020. He injured his elbow in June 2019 and initially tried to rehab as a substitute of getting surgery, going 421 days between the injury and eventually having the procedure. COVID-19 travel restrictions further pushed back his recovery. He returned to the Phillies late within the 2021 season.
He’s a rental arm
Domínguez is a pending free agent and arrives in Toronto as a possible rental for the stretch run. He’s earning US$8 million this season and is eligible to hit the open market at the top of 2025. He posted a 3.24 earned-run average in 43 appearances for the Orioles, with 54 strikeouts and 24 walks over 41 2/3 innings. He was traded to Baltimore on July 26, 2024, after five-plus seasons with the Phillies.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press