Two Blue Jays Pitchers Make It in the 2026 MLB Awards Final

Summary:

• Dylan Cease is a finalist for the 2026 AL Cy Young Award after recording a 2.40 ERA and 239 strikeouts in his first season with Toronto.
• Louis Varland is shortlisted for AL Reliever of the Year after posting a 1.27 ERA, 97 strikeouts, and 35 saves.
• Varland could become the first pitcher in Blue Jays history to win the AL Reliever of the Year Award.

Two Toronto Blue Jays pitchers are in contention for major American League honors after being named finalists for the 2026 MLB season’s individual awards.

Cease and Varland, in the Spotlight

Dylan Cease has been shortlisted for the American League Cy Young Award, while teammate Louis Varland is among the three finalists for AL Reliever of the Year. The finalists were announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America during a broadcast on MLB Network.

Cease, 30, enjoyed an outstanding first season in Toronto after signing a seven-year, $210 million contract during the offseason, the largest free-agent deal in Blue Jays history.

He finished the regular season with a 2.40 ERA and 239 strikeouts, the second-highest total in the American League, despite pitching 169 innings. He also led the league in fielding-independent pitching (2.56), hits allowed per nine innings (5.8), home runs allowed per nine innings (0.6), and strikeouts per nine innings (12.7).

The nomination is the second for Cease who has been named a Cy Young finalist before. He finished second in the voting in 2022 with the Chicago White Sox and placed fourth in 2024 during his first season with the San Diego Padres.

His competition this year includes New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler and Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick.

The Blue Jays have won the American League Cy Young Award five times. Pat Hentgen received the honor in 1996, Roger Clemens won it in consecutive years in 1997 and 1998, Roy Halladay claimed it in 2003, and Robbie Ray took home the award in 2021.

Varland in Contention for First Franchise Honor

Meanwhile, Louis Varland, 28, is also receiving recognition after an exceptional season in Toronto’s bullpen.

The right-hander recorded a 1.27 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 78 innings. After taking over as the team’s closer near the end of April, he finished with 35 saves.

Varland was also selected for the All-Star team, alongside Cease and second baseman Ernie Clement.

If he wins the AL Reliever of the Year Award, Varland will become the first pitcher in Blue Jays history to receive the honor.

His competition includes Bryan Baker of the Tampa Bay Rays and fellow Canadian right-hander Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians.

The nominations give Toronto two representatives among the American League’s top individual award finalists, recognizing contributions from both its starting rotation and bullpen.