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Estrada hoping to make 1 more playoff run with Blue Jays in '18

Kevin Jairaj / USA TODAY Sports

Marco Estrada is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays for a good time, if not a long time.

The 34-year-old right-hander agreed to a one-year, $13-million extension with Toronto earlier Wednesday. Speaking with Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith afterward, Estrada said he wouldn't have it any other way, as he's confident the team can reach the postseason in 2018.

"If this team does make the playoffs and I wasn't part of it, I would've been really upset," Estrada said.

"I knew what I wanted and I knew I wanted to come back," he added.

The veteran starter has already been part of two postseason berths as a member of the Blue Jays, and excelled in six playoff starts across 2015 and 2016. He's allowed only 10 earned runs over 41 2/3 innings as a postseason starter north of the border.

Estrada also said personal issues outside of baseball affected his on-field play this year, but that they've been addressed. He's ready to return to the hill for the Blue Jays in 2018.

While this season has been rocky, Estrada has righted the ship somewhat since July. He's 5-1 over his last 11 starts with a 3.74 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. It's not sparkling, but plenty of the damage was limited to only a pair of bad games.

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