Tim Mayza Bio
Timothy Gerard Mayza (born January 15, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Phillies. A left-handed reliever, Mayza came up through the Blue Jays’ minor league system after being selected in the 12th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 2017 and went on to spend several seasons as a trusted left-handed option out of the Toronto bullpen.
Early Life and Background
Mayza was born on January 15, 1992, in Red Hill, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a close-knit athletic family. He is the eldest of four children born to Jerry and Marlene Mayza. His father, Jerry, played NCAA Division III basketball for Allentown College, and his sister Deanna later played basketball for the University of Hartford, making sports a constant presence in the household.
Mayza attended Upper Perkiomen High School in Red Hill, Pennsylvania, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and soccer. As a sophomore, he threw a no-hitter, an early sign of his promise on the mound. In his final high school season, he posted a 5–3 win–loss record with a 2.73 earned run average (ERA) and 53 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched, drawing attention from college scouts.
Path to Professional Baseball
After high school, Mayza enrolled at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where he played college baseball for the Millersville Marauders. In the summer of 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the most prestigious wooden-bat leagues in the country. In his final season at Millersville, he went 11–3 with a 1.55 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 98⅔ innings, establishing himself as one of the top arms in the program.
His strong college performance earned him an invitation to the 2013 MLB Draft, where the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 12th round. He received a $100,000 signing bonus and was assigned to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays to begin his professional career, setting the stage for a steady climb through Toronto’s minor league ranks.
Tim Mayza Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Mayza began his pro career in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League before a quick promotion to the rookie Advanced Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League. In 2013, he went 1–4 with a 7.76 ERA across 13 appearances. He split the 2014 season between Bluefield and the Low-A Vancouver Canadians, posting a 2–4 record and 6.75 ERA in 26⅔ innings.
The 2015 season marked a step forward, as Mayza pitched the full year with the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts and recorded a 3–2 record, 3.07 ERA, and 62 strikeouts in 55⅔ innings. In 2016, he began at High-A Dunedin before earning a midseason promotion to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. He finished the year with a career-high 42 appearances, going 3–3 with a 2.25 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 64 innings, putting him on the cusp of the majors.
Toronto Blue Jays Breakthrough (2017–2020)
On August 14, 2017, the Blue Jays promoted Mayza to the majors for the first time. He debuted the next day, pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays and recording his first major league strikeout against Peter Bourjos. On September 12, 2017, he earned his first MLB win after pitching a clean bottom of the ninth before Toronto walked off the Baltimore Orioles 3–2.
Mayza split 2018 between Triple-A Buffalo and the majors, going 2–0 with a 3.28 ERA in 37 big-league games. The 2019 season was his most eventful year, as he appeared in 68 games for Toronto. However, on September 13, 2019, he tore his UCL on a pitch to Didi Gregorius of the New York Yankees and underwent Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the entire 2020 season while he recovered.
Toronto Blue Jays Return (2021–2024)
Mayza returned in 2021, when he was selected back to the 40-man roster on April 1, and turned in a 3.40 ERA with 57 strikeouts across 61 appearances. In 2022, he became a steady presence in the bullpen, going 8–1 with a 3.14 ERA in 63 games. He also became part of baseball history on September 28, 2022, when he surrendered Aaron Judge’s 61st home run, tying the American League single-season record.
On January 13, 2023, Mayza signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract to avoid salary arbitration, then posted a stellar 1.52 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 69 appearances. His 2024 season got off to a rough start, and after struggling to an 8.03 ERA in 24⅔ innings, Toronto designated him for assignment on June 29, 2024, and released him on July 5.
New York Yankees (2024)
On July 10, 2024, Mayza signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. In nine games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he posted a 2.16 ERA with eight strikeouts. The Yankees selected his contract on August 16, and in 15 appearances for New York he recorded a 4.00 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 18 innings. On November 22, the Yankees non-tendered Mayza, returning him to free agency.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2025)
Mayza signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 3, 2025. He made seven appearances for Pittsburgh and recorded a 2.89 ERA with eight strikeouts across 9⅓ innings before a lat strain and teres major injury shut him down for six weeks on April 23. He was later placed on release waivers on August 30, ending his time in Pittsburgh.
Philadelphia Phillies (2025)
On August 31, 2025, the Philadelphia Phillies claimed Mayza off waivers, giving him a fresh opportunity late in the season. He joined a Phillies bullpen aiming for another deep postseason run.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a left-handed reliever, Mayza has built his career on neutralizing same-handed hitters and getting key outs in high-leverage spots. His best season came in 2023, when his 1.52 ERA underscored how effective his breaking ball and command can be when he is in rhythm. His track record of recovering from Tommy John surgery and returning to peak form reflects a disciplined work ethic and a pitcher who leans on craft over pure velocity.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Mayza’s career came on September 28, 2022, when he gave up Aaron Judge’s 61st home run, tying the American League single-season record. His comeback from Tommy John surgery in 2020 to post a 1.52 ERA in 2023 stands as another signature achievement, while his first MLB win in 2017 and his major league debut against the Tampa Bay Rays remain career-defining early milestones.
Tim Mayza Career Wins
Across his major league career, Tim Mayza has piled up relief appearances for four organizations, with his biggest win totals coming during his years in the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen. He has been a reliable left-handed option in tight spots, often entrusted with critical matchups late in close games.
Toronto Blue Jays Highlights
Mayza’s most productive win season came in 2022, when he went 8–1 with a 3.14 ERA across 63 appearances for the Blue Jays. That campaign included his role in Aaron Judge’s record-tying 61st home run on September 28, 2022, a moment that put him at the center of one of baseball’s biggest storylines. He also added wins in 2018 and 2021 while serving as a dependable bridge to the late innings.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of Toronto, Mayza has notched limited decisions during short stints with the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Phillies. His consistent ability to bounce between organizations and post competitive ERAs has been a hallmark of his journeyman reliever profile.
Tim Mayza Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Mayza is the eldest of four children born to Jerry and Marlene Mayza. His father, Jerry, played NCAA Division III basketball at Allentown College, and his sister Deanna Mayza played college basketball at the University of Hartford. The family’s deep athletic roots helped shape Mayza’s competitive drive and his path into professional sports.
Personal Life
Mayza grew up in Red Hill, Pennsylvania, where his love for multiple sports, including baseball, basketball, and soccer, was nurtured from a young age. He has continued to keep his personal life largely private while focusing on his professional baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
Mayza’s 2025 season began when he signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 3. He appeared in seven games for Pittsburgh and posted a 2.89 ERA with eight strikeouts in 9⅓ innings, but a lat strain and teres major injury suffered on April 23 forced a six-week shutdown and a transfer to the 60-day injured list.
After returning from the injured list, the Pirates placed Mayza on release waivers on August 30, 2025, ending his brief stint in Pittsburgh. The very next day, on August 31, 2025, the Philadelphia Phillies claimed him off waivers, giving him a late-season landing spot in a contending bullpen.
Heading into the stretch run, Mayza will look to carve out a role in Philadelphia and reestablish himself as a reliable left-handed reliever heading into the offseason. A strong finish with the Phillies could position him well for another major league opportunity in 2026.