BWDIK: Ault, Horsman, Naylor, Peters, Pivetta, Soroka, Zastryzny
Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team alum Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) leads all Canadian big leaguers with 11 hits this spring. Photo: Arizona Diamondbacks
March 9, 2025
By Kevin Glew
Canadian Baseball Network
Some Canadian news and notes from the past week:
Zastryzny making a case for spot in Yankees’ bullpen
When Rob Zastryzny (Edmonton, Alta.) was signed to a minor league contract by the New York Yankees on February 17, it was dismissed as a depth move. Most following the Bronx Bombers said Zastryzny would begin the year in triple-A.
Well, not so fast.
The left-handed reliever has allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings in three appearances for the Yankees this spring. And with fellow lefty Tyler Matzek sidelined with an oblique injury that will likely keep him out for a few more weeks, Zastryzny is now in the conversation for an Opening Day roster spot. Tim Hill is the only other southpaw reliever with big league experience that has pitched regularly for the Yankees this spring.
After spending 2024 in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization, Zastryzny, 32, was claimed on waivers by the Chicago Cubs on November 4. Just four months later, however, the Cubs designated him for assignment.
The veteran southpaw began last season with the triple-A Nashville Sounds before being recalled by the Brewers to start on Canada Day. Overall, in nine appearances (three starts) for the Brewers, he posted a 1.17 ERA and had five strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. He finished the season on the 60-day injured list with left elbow tendinitis.
Zastryzny was a second-round pick of the Cubs in 2013. He recorded a 4.41 ERA in 18 relief appearances with the Cubs from 2016 to 2018 and earned a World Series ring in 2016.
Naylor leading Canadians in hits this spring
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) has 11 hits this spring to lead all Canadians. In his first spring with the D-Backs, he is 11-for-24 (.458 batting average) with four doubles, two runs and three RBIs in nine games.
On December 21, Naylor was dealt to the Diamondbacks by the Cleveland Guardians for right-hander Slade Cecconi and a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick.
In 2024, Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) registered career-highs in home runs (31) and RBIs (108) in 152 games for the Guardians and was selected to the MLB All-Star Game for the first time.
The 2024 campaign was the Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team grad’s fifth with the Guardians and his sixth overall. He made his big-league debut with the Padres in 2019.
Peters continues to impress with Rays
The most pleasant surprise among Canadians in big league camps this spring has been outfielder Tristan Peters (Winnipeg, Man.) with the Tampa Bay Rays. He is 7-for-16 (.438 batting average) with a home run and three runs in eight Grapefruit League games.
The left-handed hitting outfielder received an invite to the Rays’ big league camp after he batted .238 with 12 home runs and eight stolen bases in 123 games for the triple-A Durham Bulls in 2024.
Last season was Peters’ second in the Rays’ system after he was acquired from the San Francisco Giants following the 2022 campaign. The 25-year-old Okotoks Dawgs alum was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Brewers. He spent parts of two seasons in the Brewers’ organization prior to being traded to the Giants.
Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) has eight RBIs for the Boston Red Sox this spring. Photo: MLB.com
Toro belts two homers for Red Sox
Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) belted two home runs – a two-run shot on Monday and a solo shot on Friday – for the Red Sox in Grapefruit League action this past week. He also had a bases loaded triple in the second inning in the Red Sox 12-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday. Overall, he is 7-for-24 (.292 batting average) with a .987 OPS and leads all Canadians with eight RBIs this spring. This bodes well for Toro who is trying to crack the Red Sox roster as a utility player.
Toro, who signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox on January 28, batted .240 with six home runs and 26 RBIs in 94 games with the Oakland A’s last season.
In total, Toro, 27, has played in parts of six major league seasons with the Houston Astros, Brewers, Seattle Mariners and A’s. In 365 big league games, he owns a .220 batting average with 34 home runs and has 134 RBIs.
Soroka strikes out six in second start with Nationals
On Thursday, Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) enjoyed another strong performance in his second start of the spring for the Washington Nationals. He struck out six batters and allowed just one run in four innings to earn the win in the Nats’ 12-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. In two Grapefruit League starts this spring, Soroka has permitted just one run and has fanned nine batters in seven innings.
The 27-year-old right-hander signed a one-year, $9-million contract with the Nationals on December 19. He was dealt to the Chicago White Sox by the Atlanta Braves in November 2023. After a rough beginning to the 2024 season as a starter, the Junior National Team alum was moved to the White Sox bullpen where he rediscovered his form. In 16 relief appearances, he posted a 2.75 ERA and struck out 60 batters in 36 innings.
In total, in parts of five major league seasons, Soroka owns a 17-18 record and a 3.67 ERA in 69 appearances (52 starts).
Black makes 2025 Cactus League debut with Brewers
Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.), who had been sidelined with back stiffness, made his 2025 Cactus League debut with the Brewers last Sunday when he started at DH and went 0-for-3 in the Brewers’ 12-12 tie with the Guardians. He has since started two more games at first base for the Brewers.
Black made his major league debut with the Brewers last season. In 18 big-league games, the Toronto Mets and Butler Prospects alum went 10-for-49 (.204 batting average) with three stolen bases and seven walks. He spent the bulk of the season with the triple-A Nashville Sounds. In 102 contests with the Sounds, he belted 14 home runs, stole 20 bases and registered a .375 on-base percentage (OBP).
Chosen 33rd overall in the 2021 MLB draft by the Brewers, Black has played four seasons in the Brewers’ minors and owns a .272/.402/.453 slash line with 37 home runs and 93 stolen bases in 315 games.
Pivetta makes Padres debut
Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) tossed 2 2/3 hitless innings and struck out four Giants batters in his first Cactus League start for the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. He threw 25 of his 40 pitches for strikes and walked just one batter.
Pivetta signed a backloaded four-year, $55-million contract with the Padres on February 17.
The Junior National Team grad went 6-12 with a 4.14 ERA in 27 games (26 starts) for the Red Sox in 2024. He struck out 172 batters in 145 2/3 innings. In total, Pivetta has pitched in eight major league seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies and Red Sox. He owns a career 56-71 record and a 4.76 ERA in 223 games (178 starts).
Diamond elected to Guelph Sports Hall of Fame
Former Minnesota Twins left-hander Scott Diamond has been elected to the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame. The announcement was made on Thursday morning.
He will be inducted in a ceremony on May 21.
Born in Guelph, Ont., in 1986, Diamond honed his skills in the Guelph Minor Baseball Association and at Binghamton University. The 6-foot-3 southpaw was signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves in 2008. He’d spend three seasons in the Braves’ organization before being selected by the Twins in the Rule 5 draft in December 2010.
He’d make seven starts for the Twins in 2011, prior to enjoying a breakout year in 2012 when he led the Twins with 12 wins and posted a 3.54 ERA in 27 starts, spanning 173 innings.
He started 24 more games for the Twins in 2013 before splitting 2014 between the Twins’ and Cincinnati Reds’ triple-A affiliates. The Canuck lefty would spend 2015 with the Rays’ triple-A Durham Bulls and then make one appearance for the Blue Jays in 2016 before completing his pro career with the SK Wyverns of the Korea Baseball Organization.
Along the way, Diamond suited up for the Canadian national team several times, including at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Horsman turns 58
Happy 58th Birthday to Vince Horsman (Halifax, N.S.)! Signed by the Blue Jays as an amateur free agent in 1984, the 6-foot-2 left-hander pitched in the Blue Jays’ minor league ranks for seven seasons before making his big-league debut on September 5, 1991 against Cleveland. The first big league batter Horsman faced was slugger Albert Belle and he struck him out. He also fanned the second batter he faced (Carlos Martinez). In all, in that September with the Jays, he appeared in four games and didn’t allow a run.
The following spring he was claimed on waivers by the A’s and proceeded to enjoy his finest big-league season, posting a 2.49 ERA in 58 relief appearances for the American League West-winning club. Horsman toed the rubber for two more seasons with the A’s and then with the Twins in 1995, before returning to pitch in triple-A in the Blue Jays’ organization in 1996.
Horsman pitched in Taiwan in 1997 and with the Baltimore Orioles’ triple-A Rochester Red Wings in 1998 before hanging up his playing spikes and beginning a coaching career in the Orioles’ system that lasted eight years. He also served as a pitching coach in the Blue Jays’ system and is currently the pitching coach of the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
Remembering Doug Ault on what would be his 75th birthday
Former Blue Jays first baseman Doug Ault would’ve turned 75 today. Most remember him for his heroics in the Blue Jays’ first regular season game. On April 7, 1977, on that snowy day at Exhibition Stadium, Ault belted two homers for the Blue Jays to propel them to a 9-5 win over the White Sox. That contest proved to be the highlight of his big-league career. In total, he batted .234 with 17 home runs in 247 games in parts of three seasons with the Blue Jays. He later became a coach and minor league manager in the Blue Jays’ organization. But his life after baseball wasn’t easy. He passed away in 2004. Here is an article written by the Ottawa Sun’s Don Brennan about Ault’s struggles. I wish someone could’ve helped him.