The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-handed reliever Tommy Nance from the Blue Jays. In return, Toronto will receive minor league catcher Ryan Sprock and international bonus pool space. Both clubs have officially announced the trade.
Nance has been with the Blue Jays organization for two years, having joined from the Padres in August 2024. During the 2025 season, he was a key part of the bullpen, pitching 31.2 innings with a 1.99 ERA. This season, he has posted a 3.82 ERA over 33.0 innings, striking out 34 batters and walking 13.
The Twins’ bullpen has struggled, ranking last in MLB with a 5.28 ERA. Nance is expected to provide immediate support to the team’s relief corps. Despite their bullpen challenges, the Twins have been performing well recently and are currently two games behind the White Sox and Guardians in the AL Central, and one game out of the third Wild Card spot.
Details of the Exchange
Sprock, a 21-year-old, was an eighth-round draft pick out of Elon University last season. He was a two-way player in college, splitting his junior season between third base and the bullpen. The Twins drafted him as a catcher, a position he had not played in college, but he has reportedly adapted well to the role, receiving positive reviews for his early glove work.
Offensively, Sprock has shown a strong eye at the plate and a good contact rate as a professional, with 64 walks compared to 52 strikeouts over 374 plate appearances. He has recorded seven home runs and 21 total extra-base hits during this time. He was recently ranked 31st in the Twins’ system by Fangraphs, which also suggests he could develop into an average catcher defensively.
The Blue Jays acquired Nance from the Padres in August 2024. He proved to be a valuable arm in the second half of their 2025 season, making 30 appearances with a 1.99 ERA. However, he was primarily used in low-leverage situations, throwing only 1 1/3 innings during Toronto’s postseason run.
This season, Nance continued in a low-leverage role, maintaining a 3.82 ERA and a 3.57 SIERA through 33 innings. His walk rate has increased, and opponents have had more success hitting the ball in the air. The Blue Jays’ manager, John Schneider, has reportedly not used Nance in high-leverage situations, with only one such appearance this year.
Impact on Both Teams
For the Blue Jays, Nance was considered to be on the roster bubble. He is out of options, meaning if the team were to add more relievers before the trade deadline, they might have had to part with him for a lesser return, or no return at all. Several other pitchers, including Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers, Jeff Hoffman, and Braydon Fisher, are ahead of Nance on the depth chart for right-handed relievers.
The acquisition of Sprock, described as a plus contact hitter, indicates the Blue Jays’ interest in a player they value. The international bonus pool space also suggests their motivation in securing Sprock. The Twins, by making this trade, appear to be positioning themselves for potential further acquisitions as the trade deadline approaches, while also hedging their bets with the bonus pool money.
To make room for Nance, the Twins transferred right-hander Mick Abel to the 60-day injured list. Abel had been on the 15-day injured list since April 17 and underwent arthroscopic surgery last month, though a clear timeline for his return is not yet available.
Nance’s recent forearm issue this season suggest he may not be a long-term fixture for any team. However, for the Twins, he fills an immediate need in their bullpen and could be a meaningful contributor as they compete in a tight AL Central division. The Blue Jays, despite their disappointing season, are only 2.5 games out of a Wild Card berth.
Sprock has been performing well in Single-A, hitting .306 with a 144 wRC+ in 65 games for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels this season, earning Florida State League Player of the Month honours for June and a promotion to High-A.
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Source: bluebirdbanter.com
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
