Toronto Blue Jays bringing back former player after unexpected waiver claim
The Toronto Blue Jays have brought a familiar face back into the fold as they enter the final stretch of the 2025 season.
Coming off two frustrating losses to the MLB-leading Milwaukee Brewers, the Blue Jays have decided to claim veteran shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Kiner-Falefa spent the first half of the 2024 MLB season playing with the Jays before he was traded to the Pirates ahead of the trade deadline. Toronto got prospect infielder Charles McAdoo in exchange.
Now, just over a year later, IKF will make his return to the Blue Jays organization.
ROSTER MOVES:
🔹INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been claimed off waivers from the Pirates
Welcome Back, IKF!
🔹 RHP Yimi García transferred to the 60-day IL pic.twitter.com/jjYHSjo2Kx
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 31, 2025
Kiner-Falefa appeared in 83 games with Toronto last season, putting up 75 hits, 33 RBIs, and seven home runs. The 30-year-old also recorded a .292 batting average as well as a .758 OPS with the Blue Jays last season.
He has taken a bit of a step back with the Pirates this season, however, as he has just one home run in 119 games, and his batting average and OPS have fallen to .264 and .632, respectively.
He still represents a decent piece for this Blue Jays team, but it feels unlikely that he will be an everyday player. There has been some concern over the health of Ernie Clement of late, and Daulton Varsho has been battling injuries all season long. There is a good chance that picking up IKF this late into the season was to ensure that Toronto had a suitable injury replacement for either of those players.
Kiner-Falefa’s best baseball over the past several seasons has come as a member of the Blue Jays. Hopefully, he can find that stride once again to help power Toronto back into the postseason.