The Toronto Blue Jays have expanded their roster by signing a player who won’t even be able to show up right away.
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That’s because they just hired a catcher who plays for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
The WBC is not yet underway and already has a new signing in the MLB.
Francys Romero reported the news on Wednesday:
“Hours before the start of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the first player on a tournament roster has already signed with an MLB organization. Catcher Giaconino Lasaracina, 22, who is on Italy’s roster, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.”
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Lasaracina was actually born in Venezuela. He is 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and bats and throws right-handed.
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He has three seasons listed on his baseball reference page to determine time in Italy’s Serie A baseball league, from 2022-24.
Lasaracina has been a monster in that league. Over three seasons, he had a .374 batting average and a 1.030 OPS.
In 91 games over those three seasons, Lasaracina hit 36 ​​doubles, eight triples and six home runs and stole 16 bases.
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Clearly, it is a big step forward in competition from that league to affiliated baseball in the United States.
The Blue Jays likely saw something in the most recent period that convinced them he was worth a chance.
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And now, Toronto fans have one more player to root for as the WBC gets underway. He’s a new face, but perhaps he has a future with the Blue Jays if he can earn an unlikely promotion.