Tommy Nance Bio
Thomas Andrew Nance, known professionally as Tommy Nance, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on March 19, 1991, he has built his career through perseverance, going from undrafted college player to major league contributor with multiple organizations.
Nance has previously pitched in MLB for the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins, and he spent time in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. His journey through professional baseball includes stints in independent ball and the minor leagues, marked by both setbacks and comebacks.
Early Life and Background
Tommy Nance attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California, where he developed his interest in baseball. During his high school years, he dealt with a stress fracture in his lower back, an early physical challenge that tested his commitment to the sport.
He went on to play college baseball at three different schools, including Long Beach State, Cypress College, and Santa Clara. These stops allowed him to continue developing as a pitcher while navigating the typical transitions of a college athlete’s path.
After his senior year at Santa Clara, Nance faced another major setback when he underwent Tommy John surgery, a procedure that repairs the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. The rehabilitation process required patience and dedication before he could return to competitive pitching.
Path to Professional Baseball
In 2015, Nance went undrafted out of Santa Clara University, a common hurdle for many aspiring professional players. Rather than giving up, he signed with the Windy City Thunderbolts of the independent Frontier League to keep his career moving forward.
During his time with the Thunderbolts, Nance posted a 4.74 ERA and a 1–1 record with 40 strikeouts in 38 innings across 29 games, while registering a 1.421 WHIP. The independent league experience gave him the platform to showcase his recovery from surgery and attract attention from MLB organizations.
Tommy Nance Career
Early Career (2016-2019)
On January 18, 2016, Nance had his contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs organization, launching his climb through the affiliated minor leagues. He split the 2016 season between four Cubs affiliates, including the Low-A Eugene Emeralds, the Single-A South Bend Cubs, the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Across those 22 games, he accumulated a 4–1 record and a 2.58 ERA, signaling that his post-surgery velocity and command were returning.
He did not play in a game in 2017 due to injury, after being diagnosed with a nerve injury in his shoulder. Nance returned in 2018 with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he recorded a 3.48 ERA in 15 appearances. He split 2019 between Tennessee and Myrtle Beach, pitching to a 2–5 record and 4.07 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 48.2 innings of work.
Chicago Cubs Breakthrough (2021)
Nance did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He was assigned to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2021 season, where on May 9, he pitched the fourth through sixth innings of a combined no-hitter against the Indianapolis Indians at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa. Preceded on the mound by Shelby Miller, Nance struck out five batters over three innings before being relieved by Brad Wieck and Ryan Meisinger.
On May 16, after recording a 1.50 ERA in three games with Iowa, Nance was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut on May 17, pitching a scoreless inning of relief and recording his first Major League strikeout by punching out Washington Nationals infielder Josh Harrison. On June 11, Nance earned his first MLB victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. In 27 games for the Cubs in 2021, he went 1-1 with a 7.22 ERA, pitching 28.2 innings and giving up 23 earned runs.
Miami Marlins Era (2022-2023)
On March 25, 2022, Nance was designated for assignment by the Cubs, and two days later on March 27, the Miami Marlins claimed him off waivers. He made 35 appearances for the Marlins in 2022, posting a 2-3 record and 4.33 ERA with 57 strikeouts over 43+2⁄3 innings pitched.
In 2023, Nance suffered a right shoulder strain in February that caused him to begin the regular season on the injured list. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 22 amid his recovery, then activated on August 23. He was placed back on the 60-day injured list with an undisclosed injury on September 19, ending his season. Following the season on November 6, Nance was removed from the 40-man roster, sent outright to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and elected free agency the same day.
San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays Era (2024-Present)
On December 10, 2023, Nance signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. In 26 appearances for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas in 2024, he logged a 4.05 ERA with 35 strikeouts and two saves across 33+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On August 7, 2024, Nance was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations, and the next day, Toronto selected his contract and added him to their active roster. In 20 appearances for the Blue Jays in 2024, he compiled an 0-3 record and 4.09 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 22 innings of work. Nance was designated for assignment by Toronto on March 27, 2025, but cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on March 30. In 27 appearances for Buffalo, he logged an 0-4 record and 4.60 ERA with 42 strikeouts and four saves across 31+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 11, the Blue Jays selected Nance’s contract again, returning him to their active roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Nance’s most memorable early moment came on May 9, 2021, when he contributed three innings to a combined no-hitter at Principal Park in Des Moines. His MLB debut on May 17, 2021, produced his first Major League strikeout against Josh Harrison, and his first MLB victory followed on June 11 against the St. Louis Cardinals, marking the realization of his journey from undrafted independent leaguer to big leaguer.
Tommy Nance Personal Life
Details about Tommy Nance’s family background and personal life outside of baseball are not widely documented in public sources. His journey through multiple surgeries, including Tommy John surgery and shoulder nerve and strain issues, has been a defining part of his professional story, reflecting a resilient approach to the demands of a pitching career.
2025 Season Performance
Tommy Nance began the 2025 season on a challenging note when he was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays on March 27. After clearing waivers, he was sent outright to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on March 30, where he worked to refine his command and rebuild momentum with a 4.60 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and four saves across 27 appearances and 31+1⁄3 innings.
On July 11, the Blue Jays selected Nance’s contract once again, adding him back to their active roster and offering him another opportunity to contribute at the major league level. His path between Triple-A Buffalo and Toronto has defined his 2025 storyline, with each promotion representing a fresh chance to establish himself in the Blue Jays bullpen.
Looking ahead, Nance’s role with the Blue Jays going forward will depend on his ability to stay healthy and deliver consistent outings out of the bullpen. Given his history of overcoming injuries, his persistence remains one of the defining traits of his professional career.