The Minnesota Twins traded right-hander John Klein to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of the Jeff Hoffman trade on Aug. 3. Klein, a Brooklyn Park native, had been in the Blue Jays' minor-league system after the trade until today. According to The Athletic's Mitch Bannon, the Blue Jays brought up Klein for their Wednesday doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
CJ Van Eyk and John Klein are up with the #BlueJays. A few extra arms for a couple games of baseball.
— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) September 23, 2026
Klein, 24, made his MLB debut with the Twins this season. He allowed two earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two in 4 1/3 innings across three appearances.
Former Twins RHP John Klein returns to MLB with Blue Jays
The Twins signed Klein as an undrafted free agent in Aug. 2022. He played baseball at Iowa Central Community College.
Klein has struggled in the minors this year, posting a 6.36 ERA with a 1.64 WHIP and 95 strikeouts over 86 2/3 innings between the St. Paul Saints and Buffalo Bisons.
Klein has thrown a knuckleball in the past, but he hasn't used it lately. Those who play MLB The Show are well aware of Klein's ability to throw a knuckleball. He didn't throw it at all in his three MLB appearances.
The right-hander relies on a four-pitch mix that consists of a mid-to-high-90s fastball, a mid-80s splitter, a low-80s curveball and an upper-80s cutter.
After pitching in rookie ball in late 2022 and early 2023, Klein recorded a 2.97 ERA over 30 1/3 innings with Single-A Fort Myers in 2023. The right-hander posted a 4.57 ERA with 90 strikeouts and 38 walks in 100 1/3 innings with High-A Cedar Rapids in 2024.
Klein posted a 3.12 ERA with 95 strikeouts and 24 walks in 80 2/3 innings across 24 outings (11 starts) at Double-A Wichita in 2025. He recorded a 6.66 ERA in 25 2/3 innings for Triple-A St. Paul last year.
Klein is the Blue Jays' No. 29 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. His struggles in the minors this year are certainly cause for concern, but he is clearly highly regarded, as he ranks among the Blue Jays' top 30 prospects. His stuff is good, but his control has been a major issue lately.
Even if Klein doesn't pan out in the majors, the fact that he reached the big leagues after signing as an undrafted free agent out of community college is an impressive feat nonetheless. He joins former Twin and Minnesota native Louis Varland on the Blue Jays' pitching staff.
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