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Kevin Gausman's 2000th strikeout is another major milestone in the right-hander's successful tenure in Toronto.

Kevin Gausman’s career with the Toronto Blue Jays will be one that’s fondly remembered. The right-hander has anchored the rotation for the past five seasons, including a run to the 2025 World Series.

In his start against the Tampa Bay Rays, Gausman achieved another major career milestone. Facing Rays catcher Hunter Feduccia, Toronto’s ace powered a 94.6 MPH four-seamer past Feduccia for his 2000th career strikeout.

Of his 2,000 career strikeouts, 840 have come in a Toronto uniform. The Orioles come second with 697 strikeouts between 2013 and 2018.

While this start hasn’t gone well for Gausman, who has allowed six runs in the four innings, it’s still a major milestone for the right-hander. He became the 90th pitcher in MLB history to record that milestone. The last pitcher to record 2,000 strikeouts was Madison Bumgarner, who did it with the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 2, 2022.

Kevin Gausman’s Impressive Career with the Toronto Blue Jays

Gausman originally began his career in the American League, as the Baltimore Orioles selected him fourth overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. The right-hander had an up-and-down career between 2013 and 2019, pitching to a 4.30 ERA in 925.1 innings.

However, something seemed to change in his second and final season with the San Francisco Giants. Gausman recorded a 2.81 ERA and 237 strikeouts in 192 innings. That convinced the Blue Jays to sign him to a five-year, $110 million deal. That signing will go down as one of the best in franchise history.

In four-plus seasons with the Blue Jays, the right-hander has not missed a start. He has answered the bell 133 times, pitching to a 3.46 ERA and a 3.15 FIP over 780.1 innings. FanGraphs estimates his value to be 19.0 wins above the replacement starting pitcher.

In 2023, Gausman was named an American League All-Star. It remains his lone honor for his tenure in Toronto and the second of his career.

In addition to personal success, the Blue Jays’ ace has been instrumental in getting the team into the postseason. Toronto has qualified for October Baseball in three of the first four seasons of Gausman’s tenure with the club.

His best work came in the 2025 postseason. Gausman made six appearances, five starts, pitching to a 2.93 ERA in 30.2 innings. While the Blue Jays only won one of his five starts, he gave them a chance to win. He pitched into the sixth inning in all of them and allowed no more than three runs.

While Gausman gave the Blue Jays everything he had to win a title, Toronto came up just two outs shy of dethroning the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kevin Gausman’s 2026 Season

Perhaps sensing a potential closing window after narrowly missing out on a championship, the Blue Jays splurged on Dylan Cease to give Toronto another frontline starter. While Toronto’s rotation has been beset by injuries, the Gausman and Cease duo have been as good as advertised.

In his first eight starts to 2026, Gausman has remained as consistent as ever. The right-hander has ridden his electric four-seamer and splitter combination to a 3.09 ERA and a 3.24 FIP in 46.2 innings. The Blue Jays have gone 11-9 since April 19, when Gausman defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4.

After the 2026 season, Gausman will become a free agent, barring a contract extension with the Blue Jays.