Former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Rafael Dolis re-signed with Nippon Professional Baseball's Hanshin Tigers, according to Yuri Karasawa of Yakyu Cosmopolitan on X (formerly Twitter).
Dolis, 37, first joined the Tigers in 2016 after a three-year stint from 2011-13 at the Major League level with the Chicago Cubs. He made minor league stints with the San Francisco Giants in 2014 and the Detroit Tigers in 2015.
The Dominican Republic native departed Japan to sign with the Blue Jays ahead of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He returned to the Tigers this past summer after stints in Mexico and the Dominican Winter League.
Dolis posted a 1.93 ERA and 21.6 strikeout percentage in 18.2 innings in 2025 with the Tigers.
The Blue Jays cut ties with Dolis
Following a 1.50 ERA season with the Blue Jays in 2020, Toronto designated Dolis for assignment the following August. Infielder Kevin Smith took his spot on the roster.
He walked 27 batters in 32 innings with the Blue Jays in 2021, resulting in an ugly 1.75 WHIP.
"Now that Rafael Dolis is gone, Charlie Montoyo has one fewer option for when he wants to lose a baseball game on purpose," one Blue Jays fan wrote on X following Dolis' DFA.
His new contract with the Tigers signifies he wants to keep pitching despite his advanced age in professional baseball.
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