TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 31: Braydon Fisher #63 of the Toronto Blue Jays warms up ahead of their their MLB game against the Athletics at Rogers Centre on May 31, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
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After being placed on the bereavement list, Toronto Blue Jays’ star reliever Braydon Fisher returned to the team on Wednesday and spoke out about a heartbreaking family tragedy.
Earlier in the week, Fisher’s father, Normand Fisher, died while traveling in San Francisco to watch the Blue Jays play the San Francisco Giants.
“Braydon Fisher is back with the Blue Jays but won’t be active until (the team plays the San Diego Padres) on Friday,” Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported. “His father, Normand, died from a stroke Monday, at age 65.”
Normand Fisher was from the Bay Area and had spent the day visiting old friends before suffering the stroke in his car, according to team broadcaster Hazel Mae.
After rejoining the team on Wednesday, Braydon Fisher opened up about the emotional toll of the past several days.
“The last two days have been the hardest days of my life and my family’s life,” Fisher said upon rejoining the team, according to Davidi. “I just wanted to come back and be with the guys.”
Father Of Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Dies At 65
Major League Baseball players are often asked to perform through difficult circumstances, but some moments extend well beyond the typical hardships.
Making his first public comments since his family’s tragedy, Fisher emphasized that his father was an inspirational figure in his life.
“He was an amazing person,” Fisher said, per MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. “There was never a bad day for Norm. He was always happy, always cheerful, willing to help anybody.”
And Fisher also noted that his father was a demonstrative fan of the Blue Jays ever since the team enjoyed his debut last year.
“I don’t think that for the last two years, you’d see him not wearing Blue Jays gear,” the pitcher added, according to Matheson. “Not ever. No matter the occasion.”
Key Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Will Look To Continue Bright Career After Family Tragedy
With Fisher expected to return to the mound later this week, the 25-year-old emerging star will look to continue what has been a stellar start to his young career.
Fisher was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round in 2018 and made his big-league debut with the Blue Jays last year. In 50 total innings he posted a 2.70 ERA with 62 strikeouts and made a single start, earning Rookie of the Year Award votes for his performance.
So far in this season, Fisher has appeared in 43 games with a strong 3.33 ERA and 46 total strikeouts, solidifying himself as a key part of the Blue Jays bullpen.
But for Toronto, having Fisher back around the club is about far more than adding another arm to the bullpen. It reflects the support system organizations often provide during life’s most difficult moments.
Whenever Fisher is ready to take the mound again, he’ll do so carrying the memory of a father who proudly supported his baseball journey every step of the way. His words about the past several days served as a reminder that even at the highest level of professional sports, family always comes first.