It’s heartbreaking: A very loyal Toronto Blue Jays player has announced his sudden retirement, sending a powerful statement and bidding the team and supporters a heartfelt farewell.
Teoscar Hernandez posted an emotional message on Instagram to the Toronto Blue Jays and the city after leaving the team early on Wednesday morning.
The All-Star slugger had nothing but affection for the team and city he had called home since 2023. He was traded west to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Erik Swanson and pitching prospect Adam Macko.
In his post, Hernandez expressed his gratitude to the Toronto organization for providing him with the chance to grow as a player. “I am grateful for the wonderful times we shared in Toronto and the knowledge I gained from you. I appreciate that you have given me a home in Toronto.
Herandez departs Toronto as a skilled ballplayer in addition to being a beloved player by the community.
The outfielder, who was acquired from the Houston Astros during the 2017 trade deadline, developed into a Blue Jays middle-of-the-order dynamo, winning two silver sluggers in 2020 and 2021 and garnering MVP votes in each of those seasons.
Hernandez hit.267/.316/.491 with 25 home runs and 77 RBIs in the previous season, earning a 129 wRC+ and 2.4 fWAR.
After five and a half seasons with the Blue Jays, he finishes with a.263/.320/.503 triple slash line. He has also collected 369 RBIs and 129 home runs.
