Anthony Kay - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

White Sox pitcher sees Kyle Schwarber traits in Japanese teammate Chicago White Sox pitcher Anthony Kay believes teammate Munetaka Murakami's offensive ceiling in MLB could look like Kyle Schwarber.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Left-hander Anthony Kay and White Sox finalize a $12 million, 2-year contract

Left-hander Anthony Kay has returned to the major leagues, finalizing a $12 million, two-year contract with the Chicago White Sox

DECEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Ex-Blue Jay who dominated in Japan signs with the perennial rebuilding White Sox At one point it felt like Anthony Kay could be a part of the Toronto Blue Jays future core. A former first round draft pick (No. 31 overall)...

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • JAYSJOURNAL.COM

Gets $12 million from White Sox The White Sox signed Kay to a two-year, $12 million contract Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Kay is returning to the majors after a two-year stint with the Yokohama Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball, where he held a 2.53 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 249:94 K:BB over 291.2 innings. The left-hander set a new franchise record with a 1.74 ERA in 2025 and also led NPB with a 57.8 percent groundball rate. Kay posted a 5.59 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 88:47 K:BB across 85.1 frames at the big-league level from 2019-2023. He'll slide into Chicago's rotation in 2026.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Aiming to return to MLB Kay will seek a major-league contract this offseason after spending the last two years pitching for the Yokohama Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball, Jon Heyman of the New Yo...

Impact Kay posted a 2.53 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 249:94 K:BB over 291.2 innings for the Bay Stars over his two seasons. He set a franchise record in 2025 with a 1.74 ERA and led NPB with a 57.8 percent groundball rate. The lefty made 44 appearances (seven starts) at the big-league level from 2019-to-2023, collecting a 5.59 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 88:47 K:BB across 85.1 frames. Kay will turn 31 in March.

OCTOBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to Japan Kay signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact After logging a 3.76 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 40.2 innings in Triple-A last season, Kay will now take his talents overseas. Despite spending most of last season in the minors, the 28-year-old southpaw made 16 appearances in the big leagues, giving up 10 runs across 14.2 frames between the Mets and Cubs.

JANUARY 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed by Oakland Oakland claimed Kay off waivers from the Mets on Tuesday.

Impact Kay was pushed off the Mets' 40-man roster last week after struggling to a 6.14 ERA and 11:9 K:BB over 14.2 major-league innings in 2023. The 28-year-old left-hander will look to earn a spot in the Athletics' bullpen next spring.

OCTOBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cast off 40-man roster The Mets placed Kay on outright waivers Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kay will join five other Mets players on the waiver wire in an effort from the team to clear space on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old southpaw put up a 6.14 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 14.2 innings between the Cubs and Mets.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Summoned to majors Kay was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

Impact Kay was claimed off waivers from the Cubs earlier this month as he returned to his original organization. He tossed 1.2 scoreless frames with two strikeouts in a relief appearance versus the Phillies on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed by Mets The Mets claimed Kay off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse.

Impact Kay was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Monday, having allowed eight earned runs on 12 hits and eight walks through 11.1 major-league innings this season. The 28-year-old left-hander will function as organizational bullpen depth for New York.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Kay was designated for assignment Monday.

Impact Kay was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sept. 1, and he wound up losing his spot on the 40-man roster a few days later. It remains to be seen if he will remain with the Cubs or head elsewhere.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in minors Kay was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kay came up from the minors Tuesday as Jose Cuas went on the bereavement list, and he'll head back to Iowa following Cuas' return. Kay holds a 6.35 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 11.1 frames in the majors and hasn't appeared in a game since Aug. 1.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Iowa The Cubs recalled Kay from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact The 28-year-old left-hander will join Chicago's bullpen ahead of Tuesday's game against the Brewers as Jose Cuas goes on bereavement leave. Kay holds a 6.35 ERA and 8:8 K:BB through 11.1 major-league innings this season.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A Kay was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Kay had his contract selected by the Cubs in mid-June, but he'll return to Triple-A after he posted a 6.35 ERA over 13 outings with the big club. Caleb Kilian was recalled from Iowa in a corresponding move.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Selected to MLB bullpen The Cubs selected Kay's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kay was showing a 4.50 ERA and 32:15 K:BB through 28 innings this season at the Triple-A level. The 28-year-old left-hander is presumably going to work in a low-leverage relief role for Chicago.

JUNE 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joining MLB camp Kay, who recently accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Iowa, will join the MLB team for spring training.

Impact Kay went unclaimed after being designated for assignment near the end of January. The 27-year-old southpaw has made 28 MLB appearances over parts of four seasons from 2018-2022, and has registered a 5.48 ERA with a 77:38 K:BB over 70.2 innings of work. He doesn't appear to have a realistic shot of making Chicago's Opening Day pitching staff, and will all but assuredly begin the 2023 campaign with Triple-A Iowa.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent outright to Triple-A Kay cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Kay was designated for assignment over the weekend and went unclaimed. In 28 MLB appearances from 2018-2022, the left-hander has posted a 5.48 ERA with a 77:38 K:BB over 70.2 innings of work. He provides some depth for the Triple-A staff in 2023.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Kay was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday.

Impact The team needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Trey Mancini. Kay was claimed from the Blue Jays less than a month ago and will now go through the waiver process again. The left-hander missed most of the 2022 season with an undisclosed injury.

JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed by Cubs Kay was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Friday.

Impact After being designated for assignment by Toronto a week ago, Kay will now compete for a spot in the Cubs' bullpen. He spent most of 2022 sidelined with an injury and recorded a 5.40 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through 20 frames in Triple-A while he was healthy. Alfonso Rivas was designated for assignment as a corresponding move.

DECEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pitcher Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays finalize $63M, 3-year deal

Right-hander Chris Bassitt and the Toronto Blue Jays finalized their $63 million, three-year contract

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • Associated Press

Blue Jays designate Anthony Kay for assignment to open up room on the 40-man roster for Chris Bassitt The Blue Jays officially announced the signing of Chris Bassitt to a t...

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • BLUEJAYSNATION.COM

DFA'd by Toronto Kay was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday.

Impact Kay was sidelined by an unspecified injury for much of 2022 and threw only 22 innings between the majors and minors. Chris Bassitt was added to Toronto's 40-man roster in a corresponding move.

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to pitch at Triple-A Kay (undisclosed) returned from Triple-A Buffalo's 7-day injured list Thursday and struck out none over 1.2 innings while allowing two runs on two hits and three walks.

Impact Kay was back in action for the Triple-A club for the first time in more than two months after he was sidelined with an unspecified injury. The 27-year-old lefty remains on Toronto's 40-man roster, but he looks to be a long way away from receiving considering for a spot in the big-league rotation.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab assignment Kay (undisclosed) began a rehab assignment with the Blue Jays' rookie-level Florida Coast League affiliate Saturday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Impact Kay has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since late April but has been cleared for a rehab assignment nearly two months later. Once he's back to full health, he should be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.

JUNE 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A Kay was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Impact He has only made one appearance this season, giving up one earned run while striking out three over two innings against the Yankees on April 12. Kay will likely be up and down all season.

APRIL 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Left-hander Anthony Kay and White Sox finalize a $12 million, 2-year contract

Pitcher Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays finalize $63M, 3-year deal