The Toronto Blue Jays announced that Bowden Francis will be on the opening day roster

Bowden has been playing extremely well for the Jays at Spring Training with a 2-1 record, a 3.38 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 4 BB & 15 K in 18.2 IP. This decision is no surprise as the team has been dealing with multiple injuries especially in their pitching rotation.

Francis had a difficult professional debut with the Arizona League Brewers, where he recorded an 8.10 ERA over four games. His 2018 season saw him split between the Class�A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Advanced�A Carolina Mudcats, achieving a 7�10 win�loss record, 4.50 ERA, and 106 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched. The subsequent year, he played for Carolina and the Double�A Biloxi Shuckers, posting an 8�9 record, 3.97 ERA, and 165 strikeouts in 142 innings. He kicked off the 2021 season with Biloxi before moving up to the Triple�A Nashville Sounds in late May, accumulating a 7�3 record, 3.62 ERA, and 65 strikeouts in 59 innings across 11 games at both levels.

Francis joined the Toronto Blue Jays on July 6, 2021, as part of a trade involving Trevor Richards in exchange for Rowdy Tellez. He was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons for the remainder of the minor league season, where he delivered a 6�4 record, 4.19 ERA, and 71 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched. Following the season's conclusion, he was included in the 40-man roster on November 19, 2021.

On April 25, 2022, Francis received a call-up to the Blue Jays, making a single appearance against the Boston Red Sox where he pitched 2⁄3 of an inning without conceding a run and striking out one batter. However, on June 18, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A. In the 2023 season, he began with Triple-A Buffalo, making four starts and recording a 3.45 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. He was called up to the major league roster on June 6, 2023, where he notched a 1.73 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 36 innings across 20 relief appearances for Toronto.