Blue Jays Announce Resolution on ‘Viral’ Pitcher Earlier than Royals Sequence

The Toronto Blue Jays misplaced to the New York Yankees 8-3 on Sunday, dropping the three-game collection in New York and halting their momentum within the race for an American League wild-card spot.

After profitable seven of their final 10 coming into the Yankees collection, the Blue Jays had pushed their method into playoff competition. They now return dwelling Tuesday to face the Kansas Metropolis Royals for 3 video games, hoping to reignite their wild-card chase the place they sit 1½ video games behind the ultimate AL spot.

Earlier than the Royals collection, the Blue Jays decided with a 27-year-old pitching prospect who could also be as well-known for going viral on the web as for his injury-marred skilled baseball profession.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Toronto’s Double-A affiliate, positioned right-hander T.J. Brock on the 7-day injured listing Monday, in response to the MiLB.com transaction ledger. No particular analysis accompanied the transfer, extending a stop-and-start comeback from Tommy John surgical procedure that had solely simply resumed on the Double-A degree after a season and a half on the shelf.

T.J. Brock’s Viral Standing On-line

Brock’s identify traveled far exterior baseball circles final October, when social media customers surfaced clips and pictures allegedly inserting the Cincinnati native contained in the orbit of late Chicago rapper King Von. The Supply Journal detailed the invention in a function on the unlikely crossover, reporting that Brock appeared in Von’s music movies, stood alongside him on stage throughout performances, and often had his Instagram posts favored by the rapper earlier than Von’s demise in 2020. The story unfold rapidly throughout social media platforms, racking up lots of of 1000’s of views inside days.

The outlet additionally reported that Brock carries a tattoo of “V Roy,” one in all Von’s road aliases, and that footage circulated exhibiting him participating in Von’s long-running feud with fellow Chicago drill artist Wooski, particulars that earned Brock the web nickname “O Block Brock.” The Supply moreover related him to Kodak Black, Pooh Shiesty, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo and Blac Youngsta.

Brock addressed the eye straight in July, when the Dunedin Blue Jays posted an interview with him throughout his rehab task there. He chalked up the connections to his outgoing character and real love of each baseball and rap music, saying the relationships got here from naturally assembly individuals who shared his pursuits.

Harm Historical past and Rule 5 Standing

Brock’s well being has been the larger impediment to his profession than any web consideration. He missed most of 2024 with elbow hassle that restricted him to roughly 11 innings, dominant when he did pitch, and nonetheless made the Arizona Fall League that fall as a Rising Star with Scottsdale. He underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in early 2025 that worn out his total season, then labored again by rehab assignments within the Florida Complicated League and at Dunedin this July earlier than rejoining New Hampshire.

His profession MiLB line stands at 8-1 with a 4.61 ERA, 14 saves and 140 strikeouts throughout 84 innings, although his 2026 numbers stay iffy — an 8.22 ERA over simply 7⅔ innings throughout eight outings, a small pattern from a pitcher nonetheless constructing again arm energy.

The Blue Jays left Brock unprotected for final December’s Rule 5 draft after he grew to become eligible following 4 skilled seasons, prioritizing Ricky Tiedemann and Brandon Valenzuela for the 40-man roster as an alternative. No membership chosen him, however Brock will as soon as once more be Rule 5 eligible this coming winter that means that his largely misplaced 2026 season may very well be his final within the Blue Jays group.

Like HEAVY’s content material? Be sure you observe us.

This text was initially revealed on HEAVY

The publish Blue Jays Announce Resolution on ‘Viral’ Pitcher Earlier than Royals Sequence appeared first on HEAVY.