Justin Bruihl

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Justin Bruihl

|image =

|caption =

|team = Toronto Blue Jays

|number = 58

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|6|26}}

|birth_place = Petaluma, California, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 8

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Los Angeles Dodgers

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = June 18, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 2–2

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.56

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 53

|teams =

Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2023}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2024}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

|awards =

}}

Justin Bruihl (born June 26, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Early life and amateur career

Bruihl was born and grew up in Petaluma, California and attended Casa Grande High School. He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow early in his junior season and had Tommy John surgery.{{cite web|url=https://gopoly.com/news/2021/8/9/baseball-justin-bruihl-becomes-20th-ex-mustang-to-play-in-major-leagues.aspx|title=Justin Bruihl Becomes 20th Ex-Mustang to Play in Major Leagues|website=GoPoly.com|date=August 9, 2021|access-date=August 11, 2021}} Bruihl returned to pitching in the second half of his senior year but was limited to {{frac|17|1|3}} innings pitched, striking out 27 batters and allowing no earned runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.petaluma360.com/article/sports/bruihl-shines-in-first-major-league-game-with-dodgers/|title=Bruihl shines in first Major League game with Dodgers|first=John|last=Jackson|work=Argus-Courier|date=August 10, 2021|access-date=August 11, 2021}}

Bruihl enrolled at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he played college baseball for the Cal Poly Mustangs. He led the team with 25 appearances as a freshman and had a 1–3 win–loss record with a 4.88 earned run average (ERA) and 27 strikeouts over {{frac|31|1|3}} innings pitched. After the season, he transferred to Santa Rosa Junior College and posted a 7–0 record and 2.12 ERA with 59 strikeouts over 51 innings pitched in his sophomore season.{{cite web|url=https://www.sanluisobispo.com/sports/mlb/article253377518.html|title=Former Cal Poly pitcher makes Major League debut with the Dodgers|first=Nick|last=Wilson|work=The Tribune|date=August 9, 2021|access-date=August 11, 2021}} Bruihl had committed to transfer to the University of California after the end of his sophomore season.{{cite web|url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/5-srjc-baseball-players-headed-to-division-i-schools/|title=5 SRJC baseball players headed to Division I schools|first=Kerry|last=Benefield|work=The Press Democrat|date=June 7, 2017}}

Professional career

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

Bruihl was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an undrafted free agent on July 15, 2017. He was assigned to the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League the following season to begin his professional career. Bruihl began the 2019 season with the High–A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes before being reassigned to the Single–A Great Lakes Loons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballessential.com/news/2019/09/11/dodgers-pitching-prospect-justin-bruihl-is-looking-to-add-to-his-repertoire/|title=Dodgers Pitching Prospect Justin Bruihl is Looking to Add to His Repertoire|first=Brian|last=Crawford|date=September 11, 2019|website=Baseball Essential}} He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=March 18, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

After beginning the 2021 season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, Bruihl was promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on June 1, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.petaluma360.com/article/sports/casa-grande-grad-bruihl-now-at-aaa/|title=Casa Grande grad Bruihl now at AAA|work=Argus-Courier|date=June 22, 2021}} The Dodgers selected Bruihl's contract and promoted him the Major League roster on August 8, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-dodgers-select-justin-bruihl|title=Dodgers select Justin Bruihl|website=MLB.com}} He made his major league debut the same day against the Los Angeles Angels, striking out the first batter he faced (Brandon Marsh) and pitching {{fraction|1|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202108080.shtml|title=Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, August 8, 2021|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=August 9, 2021}} He pitched in {{fraction|18|2|3}} innings for the Dodgers in 2021 over 21 games and allowed six earned runs (2.89 ERA) on 13 hits.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bruihju01.shtml|title=Justin Bruihl Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=October 7, 2021}} He also made 26 appearances in the minors (eight for Tulsa and 18 for Oklahoma City) where he had a 2.63 ERA.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bruihl000jus|title=Justin Bruihl Amateur, College & Minor League Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=October 7, 2021}} Bruihl was left off the postseason roster for the first two rounds but added for the 2021 National League Championship Series,{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/16/22729292/dodgers-national-league-championship-series-roster-2021|title=Dodgers NLCS roster includes 13 pitchers|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=October 16, 2021|accessdate=October 24, 2021}} where he pitched two scoreless innings allowing only one hit while striking out five batters.

In 2022, Bruihl split the season between the majors and the minors. He pitched in 25 games for Oklahoma City with a 3–1 record and 3.56 ERA and in 24 games for Los Angeles, with a 1–1 record and 3.80 ERA. On September 18, he picked up his first career save against the San Francisco Giants.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=bruihju01&t=p&year=2022|title=Justin Bruihl 2022 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=October 5, 2022}} Bruihl was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin the 2023 season.{{Cite web|title=Dodgers' Justin Bruihl: Moves to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/dodgers-justin-bruihl-moves-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=March 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 20 games for Los Angeles, he worked to a 4.07 ERA with 19 strikeouts in {{fraction|24|1|3}} innings pitched. On July 28, 2023, Bruihl was designated for assignment.{{Cite web|title=Dodgers' Justin Bruihl: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/dodgers-justin-bruihl-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=July 28, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=July 28, 2023 |language=en}}

=Colorado Rockies=

On August 1, 2023, Bruihl was traded to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-justin-bruihl-traded-to-colorado/amp/|title=Rockies' Justin Bruihl: Traded to Colorado|website=CBSSports.com}} In 7 appearances for Colorado, he struggled to a 14.73 ERA with 3 strikeouts across {{fraction|3|2|3}} innings of work. On August 25, Bruihl was designated for assignment following the promotion of Evan Justice.{{Cite web|title=Rockies' Justin Bruihl: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-justin-bruihl-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=August 29, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 25, 2023 |language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes on August 28.{{Cite web|title=Rockies' Justin Bruihl: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-justin-bruihl-outrighted-to-triple-a/|access-date=August 31, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 28, 2023 |language=en}} Bruihl elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=May 17, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On January 3, 2024, Bruihl signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/reds-sign-justin-bruihl-to-minor-league-deal.html | title=Reds Sign Justin Bruihl to Minor League Deal | date=January 3, 2024 }} In 19 games for the Triple–A Louisville Bats, he recorded a 2.31 ERA with 24 strikeouts across {{fraction|23|1|3}} innings pitched. On June 3, Bruihl was released by the Reds organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-06-03 | title=Transactions }}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On June 6, 2024, Bruihl signed a major league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{Cite web|title=Pirates To Sign Justin Bruihl To Major League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/pirates-to-sign-justin-bruihl-to-major-league-deal.html|access-date=June 6, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 6, 2024 |language=en}} In 7 games for the Pirates, he struggled to a 9.53 ERA with 5 strikeouts across {{fraction|5|2|3}} innings pitched. On July 7, Bruihl was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh.{{cite news |title=Pirates activate RHP Quinn Priester amid flurry of moves |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40527418/pirates-activate-rhp-quinn-priester-amid-flurry-moves |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=July 9, 2024}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians on July 9.{{Cite web|title=Pirates Outright Justin Bruihl|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/pirates-outright-justin-bruihl.html|access-date=July 10, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 9, 2024 |language=en}} Bruihl elected free agency on October 2.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/11-players-elect-free-agency.html | title=11 Players Elect Free Agency | date=October 3, 2024 }}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On March 16, 2025, Bruihl signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays Sign Justin Bruihl To Minors Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/blue-jays-sign-justin-bruihl-to-minors-deal.html|access-date=March 16, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 25 appearances for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, he posted a 3-3 record and 3.81 ERA with 36 strikeouts and two saves across {{fraction|28|1|3}} innings pitched. On June 17, the Blue Jays selected Bruihl's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays Designate Erik Swanson For Assignment, Place Bowden Francis On IL|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/blue-jays-designate-erik-swanson-for-assignment-place-bowden-francis-on-il.html|access-date=June 17, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}