Blue Jays sign Johan Santana to minor-league contract

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed left-hander Johan Santana to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, the team announced Thursday.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner hasn't pitched in the majors since 2012 due to numerous injuries, but has tremendous upside as a buy-low option. He'll have the opportunity to make $2.5 million if he makes the major-league roster, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

The veteran just resumed a throwing program after his troublesome throwing shoulder forced him to sit out the championship series of the Venezuelan Winter League playoffs.

The 35-year-old's latest comeback bid in 2014 was derailed in June after he tore his Achilles in an extended spring training game. Santana also has a long history of shoulder problems.

Santana will provide organizational starter depth for Toronto, but with a strong spring, he could be a long shot to compete for the fifth and final spot in the rotation behind Mark Buehrle, R.A. Dickey, Drew Hutchison and Marcus Stroman.

Santana owns a 3.20 ERA with a 3.51 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 12 seasons in the bigs, but hasn't thrown 200 or more innings since 2008.