Blue Jays agree to minor-league deal with Soriano
The Toronto Blue Jays are bringing another former Washington Nationals closer to camp after they agreed to a minor-league deal with right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano on Sunday.
An All-Star in 2010, Soriano failed to land a job last spring before signing a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs in early June. He didn't make his 2015 debut until mid-July and only appeared in six games, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings, before the club released him.
| Year | ERA | IP | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6.35 | 5.2 | 4 | 1.59 |
| 2014 | 3.19 | 62 | 59 | 1.13 |
| 2013 | 3.11 | 66.2 | 51 | 1.23 |
| 2012 | 2.26 | 67.2 | 59 | 1.17 |
The 36-year-old converted 75 saves while posting a 3.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP from 2013-2014 as the Nationals' closer. He struggled in the second half of 2014, however, losing his job to Drew Storen, who was also acquired by Toronto this winter and is competing with Roberto Osuna for the closer's role.
Soriano, who the Blue Jays coveted last summer before he signed in Chicago, is one of 12 non-roster invitee pitchers in camp. He'll earn $750,000 should he earn a spot on the major-league roster, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.