While the Toronto Blue Jays players were busy drubbing the Athletics, the front office was focused on tweaking the roster.
The Philadelphia Phillies acquired pitcher Josh Walker from Toronto in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced on Thursday.
Walker was subsequently optioned by the Phillies to the Lehigh Valley, their triple-A affiliate.
The 30-year-old made three appearances with the Blue Jays this season, posting a 7.20 ERA with eight strikeouts, two walks and a 35.7 per cent whiff rate through five innings pitched.
Walker has made a total of 27 major league relief appearances throughout his three-year career split between the New York Mets (2023-24) and Blue Jays (2025).
The lefty holds a career 6.59 ERA and 24.2 per cent strikeout rate through 27.1 innings. He was originally selected in the 37th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Mets.
Walker has spent the majority of his career in the minors, going 19-14 with a 4.07 ERA on 312 strikeouts and 105 walks through 128 games (29 starts).
The move came shortly after the Blue Jays picked up a 12-0 series-opening win over the Athletics and improved to .500 (28-28). Toronto returns to action on Friday as it hosts the second game of the four-game set.