Toronto Blue Jays made strategic moves before the trade deadline, acquiring relievers Seranthony Domínguez and Louis Varland, while also trading infielder Will Wagner to the San Diego Padres for catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Despite a rocky start to the season, Wagner hit .291 after returning from Triple-A. The team favors Ty France over Wagner, prompting the trade for Valenzuela, a switch-hitting catcher praised for his defense, although his batting has been inconsistent. With a career .714 OPS in the minors, Valenzuela emphasizes defensive prowess and is looking to build on a strong start in Buffalo.

Valenzuela recently caught a rehab start from Shane Bieber, showcasing his defensive skills by throwing out a would-be base stealer. The Jays now have three catchers on the roster, and Valenzuela's strong performances could see him called up sooner than expected, especially if Ali Sánchez is designated for assignment.

The Toronto Blue Jays have transferred Bowden Francis to the 60-day injured list due to a right shoulder impingement, following his initial placement on the 15-day IL. The right-hander has had a tough season, with a record of 2-8 and a 6.05 ERA over 14 starts, allowing 19 home runs. This comes after a promising 2024 season where he posted an 8-5 record with a 3.30 ERA. In other roster moves, infielder Will Wagner was reinstated from the restricted list, while outfielder Alan Roden was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Will Wagner has been placed on the Toronto Blue Jays’ restricted list, taking a day off to attend his father Billy Wagner's Hall of Fame induction. This decision opens a roster spot for Alan Roden, who has been recalled from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Will Wagner's batting average of .243 with a modest six RBIs in 36 games indicates he is still finding his footing in his second MLB season. In contrast, Roden has struggled at the plate with a .206 average in his brief appearances with the Blue Jays this year.

Billy Wagner, who tallied an impressive 422 saves over his 16-year career, is being honored alongside Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia, both first-ballot inductees. Wagner's election marks a significant milestone as he garnered 82.5% of the votes on his 10th ballot.