Former baseball pitcher Phillippe Aumont, who traded the diamond for the dirt, is back in the game. The 37-year-old right-hander, a native of Gatineau, Quebec, has signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays, marking his return to professional baseball after a six-year hiatus. Aumont's journey to becoming a farmer was sparked by a desire to reconnect with nature and learn about agriculture, as he told CBC's 'Ottawa Morning'.
But the Blue Jays aren't the only team Aumont will be suiting up for this year. He'll also be representing Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, his fourth appearance in the tournament. This isn't his first time back on the mound, either. During the 2023 WBC, Aumont briefly returned to action, reaching 92 mph with his fastball. However, he insisted at the time that he had no interest in a full-time comeback.
Aumont's professional baseball career began in 2007 when he was selected 11th overall by the Mariners in the MLB Draft. He was traded to the Phillies two years later as part of a blockbuster swap that sent ace Cliff Lee to the Mariners. Aumont made his MLB debut in August 2012 and appeared in parts of four seasons with the Phillies, posting a 6.80 ERA with 42 strikeouts across 43 2/3 innings. After his time with the Phillies, Aumont inked minor league pacts with the White Sox, Tigers, and Blue Jays, while also playing in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball.
Despite his impressive resume, a return to the majors after more than a decade away remains a long shot. However, Aumont provides valuable experience and depth for the Blue Jays' pitching staff, which is already dealing with multiple injuries at the start of spring training. Starter Bowden Francis will miss all of 2026 due to ulnar collateral ligament surgery, and fellow right-hander Shane Bieber is expected to be sidelined with right forearm fatigue to start the season. With his unique combination of experience and a desire to reconnect with nature, Aumont's story is a testament to the unpredictable paths that athletes can take.
