Cease struck out six over five scoreless innings Sunday, allowing three hits and two walks in a Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Cease allowed one run on one hit and one walk over 1.2 innings during the Blue Jays' split-squad game against the Phillies on Saturday. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Making his Grapefruit League debut for Toronto, Cease threw his first pitch of the day at 98.3 mph, and he topped out at 98.9 mph with his four-seamer. The right-hander did serve up a second-inning solo shot to Bryan De La Cruz, but otherwise it was a strong first outing in a Jays uniform as he tossed 19 of 33 pitches for strikes. Cease will slot in at the top of the rotation after the 30-year-old right-hander signed a seven-year, $210 million deal over the winter. He's topped 200 strikeouts in five straight seasons, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 11.3 K/9 during that stretch while averaging about 32 starts and 177 innings a year.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Cease rejected the Padres' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cease posted a 4.55 ERA over 32 regular-season outings for the Padres, but he boasted a 215:71 K:BB over 168 innings. He's made at least 32 starts and struck out over 200 batters in each of the last five regular seasons, so the righty will do quite well in free agency. The Padres will receive draft-pick compensation if Cease departs.

The Padres extended Cease a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

If Cease signs elsewhere in free agency, the Padres will receive a bonus draft pick as compensation. The 29-year-old has been extremely reliable from a health standpoint, making at least 32 starts in each of the last five seasons. His performance, on the other hand, hasn't been as solid, as he finished the 2025 regular season with a 4.55 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 168 innings.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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, 1.33 WHIP and 215 strikeouts across 32 starts (168 innings).

Cease (8-12) conceded four runs on four hits and three walks over six innings to take the loss Friday against the White Sox. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

The San Diego righty entered this appearance on a successful run, going 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings over three starts this month. Despite taking his 12th loss, establishing a new low mark in his seven-year career, Cease pitched relatively well. In this 100-pitch outing, the 29-year-old allowed just one extra-base hit -- a Miguel Vargas two-run homer in the first. Cease will carry a 4.64 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 207:69 K:BB across 163 total frames into his next start, which currently projects come at home against Milwaukee.

Cease (8-11) allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Rockies on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Cease had to work for the quality start, throwing 109 pitches (70 strikes) in this outing. He's gotten himself back on track with a pair of wins over the Rockies in his last two starts, allowing just two runs over 11 innings in those games. For the season, he's at a 4.59 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 201:66 K:BB across 157 innings over 30 starts. He's topped the 200-strikeout mark in five consecutive seasons, though he is likely to fall short of the 224 he had last year.