Pitcher Returns to MLB After 11-Year Hiatus, Targeting Big League Opportunity

Veteran outfield pitcher Philip Aumont (37), who farmed in his hometown, is once again challenging the American scene after a six-year absence. He appears to be heading toward the major league mountain for the first time in 11 years after the 2015 season.

Forbes and other US media reported on the 11th (Korean time) that Aumont, a prospect from the Philadelphia Phillies, signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Six years after leaving the American scene, he unexpectedly returned to active duty,” the report said.

According to the official Major League Baseball website MLB.com, Omont signed a contract with the Toronto club on the 10th and was immediately transferred to the Buffalo Bisons.

In fact, Omong’s comeback is like a drama. Aumont, who made his MLB debut with Philadelphia during the 2012 season, last failed to climb the Big League mountain in 2015. During his major league career, he earned 46 games (one start) with 1 win, 6 losses, 2 saves and a 6.80 ERA. After that, he moved from the minor leagues to the minor leagues and returned to his hometown in Canada for the last time in the 2018 season.

According to local media, Aumont subsequently announced his near-retirement and returned to his hometown of Quebec, where he began his second life as a farmer. But I didn’t let go of my baseball dream. Aumont, who also played in the Canadian Independent League during the 2019 season, competed in the 2023 World Baseball Championship (WBC) Classic as a member of Team Canada.

Even during the WBC in 2023, Aumon was still showing his status despite many years having passed since he retired. At the time, Aumon surprised local officials with a fastball up to 92 miles (about 148 km), according to the major league’s official website MLB.com.

After this, Aumont, who was constantly shaping his body, was included in the 2026 WBC Canadian team. Following this performance, the Toronto Blue Jays once again offered him a chance to play in the professional arena.

True, this is not the first time that Omon has been connected with Toronto. He also signed a small contract with Toronto last season in 2020 and participated in spring camp, but when the minor league season was canceled entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to retire in June 2020 and went to farm.

If Aumon earns a Big League call-up this season, he will step foot on the big league mountain again 11 years after the 2015 season when he was in Philadelphia. While the US media is looking at this as a signing for Debs, it is also interesting how O Mong could compete at the next WBC in 2026.