Blue Jays sign Axford to minor-league deal
The Toronto Blue Jays are bringing John Axford home.
The club announced Friday that it has signed the right-handed reliever and Simcoe, Ontario, native to a minor-league contract.
We've signed RHP @JohnAxford to a Minor League deal with an invite to Major League #SpringTraining.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 9, 2018
The Ax Man owns a 3.71 ERA over 9 MLB seasons. pic.twitter.com/aqb4BTsogk
Axford is coming off a miserable year in which he posted a 6.43 ERA, 2.10 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts in 22 appearances with the Oakland Athletics. He was released Aug. 1 and didn't pitch again that season.
The nine-year veteran owns a 4.29 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 206 strikeouts in 197 innings over the past four seasons with four different clubs.
Axford would be the second reliever added by the Blue Jays on Thursday, as the team also inked Jake Petricka to a minor-league deal.