Exciting news from the world of baseball as the Toronto Blue Jays recently made a strategic move by selecting right-hander Spencer Miles from the San Francisco Giants in the Rule 5 Draft. This is a key development in the Blue Jays’ lineup as they stay on course to build a formidable team.

Spencer Miles: From Recovery to Toronto Blue Jays

The 25-year-old right-hander has shown resilience and determination in the face of adversity. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, Miles made a triumphant return to the Arizona Fall League this year. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 180 pounds, Miles made five impressive appearances for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He managed to notch up 12 strikeouts over 8 2/3 innings, with his fastball reaching a staggering speed of 98.4 miles per hour.

Spencer Miles: Journey Through The Leagues

Miles was initially picked by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2022 first-year player draft. However, a back surgery in 2023 saw him miss an entire season. Undeterred, he returned in 2024 to make five appearances before a right flexor strain necessitated elbow surgery.

Despite these setbacks, Miles has demonstrated his worth, earning his place in the Blue Jays’ 26-man roster as per the Rule 5 draft regulations. In accordance with these rules, any drafted player must be placed on outright waivers to be removed from the roster in the subsequent season.

New Additions to the Toronto Blue Jays’ Coaching Staff

In addition to bolstering their player lineup, the Blue Jays have also made significant changes to their coaching staff. On Wednesday, the team announced three new coaching hires under manager John Schneider to round out his 2026 coaching staff.

New Faces in the Coaching Staff

Cody Atkinson joins the team as the assistant hitting coach, bringing his extensive experience and expertise to the role. Eric Duncan, known for his strategic acumen, has been appointed as the major league field coordinator. Last but not least, seasoned professional Drew Butera joins the team as a major league coach.

These recent changes to both the player roster and coaching staff underline the Blue Jays’ commitment to building a team capable of competing at the highest level. With the addition of Spencer Miles and the new coaches, the Toronto Blue Jays are clearly gearing up for an exciting season.

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

See Full Bio