Dylan Cease

Fantasy News

• Blue Jays' Dylan Cease: Flashes more diverse pitch mix

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2026

  Cease has more confidence in his changeup this season and seems committed to broadening his arsenal, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports. The right-hander has been essentially a two-pitch pitcher during his big-league career, throwing his two-seam fastball and slider over 40 percent of the time last season with the Padres, but in his first outing for the Blue Jays on Saturday, neither pitch reached that mark while his knuckle curve, two-seamer, changeup and sweeper all sat with usage rates between 7.8 percent and 10.0 percent. The changeup was especially impressive, as he's firmed it up a bit to give it more velocity and arm-side run but less vertical drop. The result was eight whiffs on eight changeups that averaged 83.7 mph, as batters sold out to try and meet his usual high-90s heat. "I'm going to keep fine-tuning it," Cease said. "Trying to find a little more consistency with command, but I like where it's at." With batters having more to think about than ever before when facing Cease, he struck out 12 batters in 5.1 innings -- setting a franchise record for Ks in a Blue Jays debut in the process.

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• Blue Jays' Dylan Cease: Fans 12 in no-decision Saturday

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2026

  Cease didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings win over the A's, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out 12. Signed to a seven-year, $210 million contract this winter, Cease looked to be worth every penny in his Toronto debut as he fired 61 of 90 pitches for strikes and blanked the A's for five frames before running out of gas in the sixth. It's the most strikeouts in franchise history for a pitcher making his Blue Jays debut, breaking the record of 11 set by David Price in August of 2015. Cease will have plenty of motivation to stay locked in when he takes the mound for his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week against the White Sox -- the team he made his MLB debut with in 2019.

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• Blue Jays' Dylan Cease: Blanks Tampa in final tuneup

  Rotowire Mar 23, 2026

  Cease struck out six over five scoreless innings Sunday, allowing three hits and two walks in a Grapefruit League game against the Rays. The Blue Jays' big offseason signing fired 50 of 83 pitches for strikes in his final game of the spring. Cease has been impressive in camp, posting a 0.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB over 9.2 innings, and he'll head into 2026 looking for his sixth straight 200-strikeout campaign in his first season with Toronto.

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• Blue Jays' Dylan Cease: Tinkering with changeup

  Rotowire Feb 12, 2026

  Cease has been working on changing the shape of his four-seam fastball and adding a changeup to his arsenal, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports. The right-hander has always had premium raw stuff in his high-90s fastball, which averaged a career-high 98.1 mph in 2025, and plus slider, but his actual results have rarely matched the scouting reports. Adding a change or splitter could help improve his numbers against left-handed hitters -- last season with the Padres, Cease had a 4.00 K/BB and 31.4 percent strikeout rate against RHP, but just a 2.36 K/BB and 28.0 percent K rate against LHP. Until he begins using any new pitches in game action, however, there's no reason to expect something radically different than the pitch mix that saw him use his four-seamer and slider 83.1 percent of the time last year.

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• Blue Jays' Dylan Cease: Lands with Blue Jays

  Rotowire Nov 26, 2025

  Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Cease will join the reigning American League champions and further bolster a rotation that already features Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and top prospect Trey Yesavage. The 29-year-old Cease was fairly underwhelming this past season, finishing with a 4.55 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 168 regular-season innings. However, he's made at least 32 starts and struck out more than 210 batters every year since 2021, which helps to keep his fantasy appeal relatively high entering 2026.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Five strikeouts in no-decision

  Rotowire Oct 2, 2025

  Cease pitched 3.2 shutout innings Wednesday against the Cubs, surrendering three hits and a walk while striking out five batters. He did not factor into the decision. A sacrifice fly from Jackson Merrill during the top of the first inning gave Cease a 1-0 lead to work with before he even stepped on the mound Wednesday. He kept the Cubs' offense at bay for the duration of his start, but he got an early hook from manager Mike Shildt after giving up a double to Seiya Suzuki on his 69th pitch of the day. While Cease's brief outing prevented him from picking up the win in Game 2, it will help to keep him fresh for the NLDS if San Diego takes Game 3.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Strikes out eight in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2025

  Cease allowed a run on six hits and two walks across five innings in a no-decision Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out eight. It was a strong performance from Cease, who held Milwaukee scoreless until Andrew Vaughn's two-out, RBI double in the fifth. Still, Cease only made it through five innings after throwing 100 pitches -- the right-hander only has one quality start in his last eight outings. Cease figures to finish the regular season at 8-12 with a subpar 4.55 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, although he also recorded 215 strikeouts across 32 starts (168 innings).

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Victorious against COL

  Rotowire Sep 7, 2025

  Cease (7-11) picked up the win Sunday against the Rockies, allowing one run on four hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out five. Cease navigated Coors Field effectively, keeping the ball in the park and allowing just one extra-base hit -- a double to Orlando Arcia in the third inning. Sunday's outing snapped a streak of five consecutive outings allowing multiple runs. Cease hasn't pitched into the sixth inning in five straight appearances, and hasn't done so in eight of his last nine. Cease will carry a 4.71 ERA into his next projected start, which is scheduled to be a rematch with the Rockies next weekend.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Fans seven in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 2, 2025

  Cease allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over four innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Monday. Both of the runs Cease allowed came on a Samuel Basallo single in the second inning. Though Cease was otherwise fine, he racked up 91 pitches through four frames and didn't take the mound for the fifth. On a positive note, the right-hander induced an impressive 18 whiffs and allowed fewer than three runs for the first time across his past four outings. Cease has been rocky over that span, posting a 7.02 ERA and 1.80 WHIP while completing five frames just once. He ranks fourth in the majors with 190 punchouts, but it's otherwise been a disappointing campaign for Cease, who carries a 4.81 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through 28 starts.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: No control in loss

  Rotowire Aug 17, 2025

  Cease (5-11) allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and six walks while striking out two over 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Dodgers. Cease threw just 44 of 85 pitches for strikes. It wasn't all his fault, as a Jackson Merrill error in the second inning was responsible for two runs, but Cease's struggles to find the strike zone continue to be a concern at times. This is the second time in four starts he's walked five or more batters. On the year, he's at a 4.61 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 171:56 K:BB over 132.2 innings across 25 starts. Among qualified starting pitchers, Cease's 3.8 BB/9 is fourth worst in the majors, though his 11.6 K/9 is second-best. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Giants, which is a favorable matchup for him to get back on track.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Wins again

  Rotowire Aug 10, 2025

  Cease (5-10) picked up the win Sunday against Boston, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out seven. Cease notched his first quality start in his last eight appearances, shutting down the Red Sox en route to a victory. The 29-year-old has now taken the win in back-to-back starts for the first time in 2025. In 24 outings this season, Cease has a 4.52 ERA and a 169:50 K:BB over 129.1 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Dodgers next time out.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: CT scans return negative

  Rotowire Jul 30, 2025

  Padres manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that the CT scans Cease (head) received Monday came back negative, per 97.3 The Fan. Cease was struck in the back of the head by a comebacker off the bat of Francisco Lindor in the third inning during Monday's win, though the ball first hopped off the ground. The veteran hurler remained in the game until the bottom of the fifth inning, and his departure didn't seem to be related to the earlier incident. Nonetheless, Cease underwent precautionary CT scans after the contest, and Shildt indicated that testing revealed no swelling or bleeding or other issues. It thus seems likely that Cease will be able to take his next turn in the rotation, which is tentatively scheduled for this weekend against St. Louis.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Getting CT scan on head

  Rotowire Jul 29, 2025

  Cease is receiving a CT scan on his head after being hit on a bounce by a comebacker in the third inning of Monday's game against the Mets, Marty Caswell of The Sporting Tribune reports. Cease ended up on the ground after a ball hit by Francisco Lindor bounced and then struck the hurler on the back of the head in the third frame. The right-hander was checked on by trainers but stayed in the game, and he struck out the next two batters he faced. Cease ultimately departed the contest after 4.2 innings, but his departure seemed to be a result of the grand slam he gave up to the final batter he faced rather than a consequence of the hit to the head. Nonetheless, Cease is getting a CT scan to check for any issues, and the results of the testing should provide insight about whether he's in danger of missing his next start.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Solid effort in loss

  Rotowire Jul 23, 2025

  Cease (3-10) took the loss against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts over five innings. Cease allowed a run in the first inning and a two-run homer in the fifth that ultimately saddled him with the loss. The 29-year-old threw just 56 of 95 pitches for strikes but has now turned in back-to-back solid starts after giving up 10 earned runs across his first two July outings. He'll carry a 4.59 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 144:42 K:BB over 113.2 innings into a home matchup with the Mets next week.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Struggles with long ball again

  Rotowire Jul 10, 2025

  Cease (3-9) allowed six runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a loss against Arizona on Wednesday. Cease continues to flash impressive stuff with poor results -- he racked up 16 whiffs and eight strikeouts but allowed three long balls and six runs. The right-hander has now given up multiple home runs in three consecutive starts, yielding 14 runs (13 earned) across 16 innings during that stretch. Cease is tied for sixth in the league with 129 punchouts on the season, but he's also posted a poor 4.88 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Picks up third win

  Rotowire Jun 21, 2025

  Cease (3-6) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four over 6.2 innings to earn the win over the Royals on Saturday. Cease limited the damage to an RBI double by John Rave in the third inning. This was Cease's second quality start over four outings in June, and he's allowed 10 runs with a 31:12 K:BB across 23.2 innings this month. He's now at a 4.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 109:33 K:BB through 87.1 innings through 16 starts this season. The 29-year-old right-hander is projected to make his next start at Cincinnati.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Fans six in quality start

  Rotowire May 20, 2025

  Cease (1-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out six. Although Cease's three runs allowed were the most in his last eight starts, he established a season high with seven innings. The hard-throwing right-hander has now fanned at least six in six of his last seven outings, posting a 3.20 ERA and 46:13 K:BB over 39.1 innings in that span. Two of Cease's hits surrendered went for home runs Tuesday, which represented his season worst in homers allowed, so he'll be looking to keep the ball in the yard in his next scheduled appearance against Atlanta.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Strikes out 10 in no-decision

  Rotowire May 14, 2025

  Cease allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out 10 over 6.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Tuesday. Cease pitched well, but he was charged with a second run after leaving the game when Jeremiah Estrada couldn't keep the Angels at bay in the seventh inning. This was the second start in a row where Cease has set a season high in strikeouts, and he also pitched into the seventh inning for the third time this season. He's at a 4.60 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 58:18 K:BB across 47 innings through nine starts. A nine-run dud against the Athletics on April 8 continues to skew his overall numbers -- he's yet to allow more than three runs in any other start. He's projected to make his next start on the road at Toronto.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Pitches four innings

  Rotowire May 3, 2025

  Cease didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 9-4 victory over the Pirates after giving up two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three batters in four innings. Cease needed 91 pitches to get through four innings Friday, marking the fourth time in seven starts that he hasn't been able to complete a full five innings. His performance was enough to bring his ERA down slightly from 5.75 to 5.61, though he remains stuck in a slump to begin the 2025 campaign. There's a good chance his slump extends into his next start as well, as he's due to take the mound in the Bronx on Wednesday and face a Yankees lineup that boasts an .826 OPS on the season.

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• Padres' Dylan Cease: Allows two runs Sunday

  Rotowire Apr 21, 2025

  Cease allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings Sunday against the Astros. He did not factor into the decision. Cease held the Astros scoreless through four innings while escaping run-scoring threats in both the third and fourth. He was unable to do the same in the fifth, however, as the Astros opened up with a double and two singles and plated a second run on a sacrifice. Cease was able to complete the outing without allowing a single barrel and has only allowed two homers through five starts thus far. He lines up for a home start versus the Rays over the weekend.

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