Andrews gets called up, makes MLB debut with Blue Jays

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

The Toronto Blue Jays called up right-handed pitcher Tanner Andrews from Triple-A Buffalo Monday, and Andrews pitched a scoreless inning later in the day in his major league debut.

Andrews, 30, is a Rochester native and a 2013 Tippecanoe Valley grad.

He is the first Valley grad to appear in the major leagues.

Sports Michiana’s Chuck Freeby reported that Andrews is also the first person who attended a high school in Kosciusko County to play in the big leagues. 

Andrews was 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA at Buffalo when he was called up. He is 21-17 with a 4.31 career minor league ERA.

Andrews threw 15 pitches in an 8-2 loss to the Miami Marlins Monday, retiring all three batters he faced. He retired Xavier Edwards on a fly ball to center, Liam Hicks on a grounder back to the mound and Otto Lopez on a grounder to third.

Andrews previously pitched in the Marlins, Giants and Twins organizations. After posting a 3-6 record and a 6.95 ERA for the Giants Triple-A team in Sacramento in 2024, Andrews pitched for Staten Island out of the independent Atlantic League in 2025 to earn his way back with an MLB-affiliated organization.

Andrews later pitched for Purdue University and also played for the Kokomo Jackrabbits. The Miami Marlins drafted him in the 10th round in the 2018 MLB Draft.

The cancellation of the minor league season in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and Tommy John surgery on his elbow were barriers that Andrews overcame to reach the majors.

Andrews was a three-sport star at Valley, breaking receiving records in football and scoring over 1,250 points while starting on the front line of Valley’s 2013 sectional basketball championship team as well as playing baseball.

Andrews replaced former Cy Young winner Dylan Cease on the active roster. Cease was placed on the injured list due to a hamstring injury.