The Blue Jays designated an outfielder Derek Fisher for assignment, by Ben Nicholson-Smith from Sportsnet. The movement makes room for the right-handed signature David Phelps.
Fisher was Astros’ 37th overall pick in 2014 and someone who ranked among the best prospects in the years that followed, but he still hasn’t done well in the majors. He debuted in 2017 and has since hit .194 / .286 / .376 with 17 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 458 plate appearances, including 146 with the Blue Jays. Toronto acquired it from Houston in 2019 in a trade that saw right-handers Aaron Sanchez and Joe BiaginI joined the Astros.
Fisher is still only 27, owns a .289 / .379 / .520 line with 50 homers in 1,053 Triple-A PA, and is not on track to become eligible for a free agency until after 2024. All of this suggests another team could give him a chance in a negotiation or through resignations. However, Fisher is out of the secondary league options, which means he cannot be sent down without going back to the exemption rope.