The Toronto Blue Jays have been very active in free agency this offseason, and one of their most recent signings is an underrated one that won't come into play for some time.
But, while this new signing won't pitch in 2026 for the Blue Jays, he's a great long-term option for Toronto, and a great story.
Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reported that Nic Enright, the former Cleveland Guardians reliever who beat Hodgkin lymphoma, is signing with the Blue Jays on a two-year deal.
Blue Jays sign Nic Enright to 2-year minor league contract
"Source: The Blue Jays have agreed to a 2-year minor league deal with RH Nic Enright," Gonzalez reports. "Enright, 28, beat Hodgkin lymphoma and had a really nice year with the Guardians in 2025, with a 2.03 ERA in 31 innings. He'll spend 2026 rehabbing Tommy John and look to bounce back in 2027."
Enright made his MLB debut this past season with the Guardians after being drafted in the 20th round in the 2019 MLB Draft.
In 2022, he was diagnosed with Stage II nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. It was a serious situation that put his MLB future at risk.
He underwent four rounds of immunotherapy treatment in early 2023, with another coming during the 2023 All-Star break, and six more at the end of 2023 and the start of 2024.
He was pitching in 2023, putting up a 4.97 ERA in 34 games. But, in 2024, he had a 1.06 ERA in 16 appearances in Triple-A, showing some encouraging signs of progress. After a 1.38 ERA 2025 campaign in the minors through 13 games, he was called up.
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In his 27 appearances and 31 innings for the Guardians in 2025, he had a very impressive 2.03 ERA with 30 strikeouts and just 12 walks.
After coming back from a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in 2022, Enright proved he belongs in the Major Leagues with a strong 2025 campaign.
But this past season in October, Enright underwent Tommy John surgery and will be forced to miss the entire 2026 season. He's set to come back in 2027 if all goes well.
Enright has already shown he can come back from a brutal diagnosis, is 28 years old, and would be under control for a while if the Blue Jays want to keep him around.
Recovering from Hodgkin lymphoma is a big deal, and coming back from Tommy John surgery is no small feat either.
While it won't be easy for Enright, he's shown great resilience in his pitching career, and could come back in a big way in 2027 for the Blue Jays.
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