Report: Blue Jays sign A.J. Cole to minor-league deal

The Toronto Blue Jays signed reliever A.J. Cole to a minor-league contract on Monday with an invite to spring training, a source told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.

Cole posted a 3.81 ERA with a 10.4 K/9 rate across 26 innings with the Cleveland Indians in 2019.

The right-hander's average velocity for his fastball was 94.4 mph last season, according to Davidi.

The 27-year-old has pitched for the Indians, New York Yankees, and Washington Nationals during his five-year career.

Toronto finished 12th out of 15 teams in the American League in bullpen WAR last season, according to FanGraphs.