DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Blue Jays officially added another veteran to their bullpen Saturday morning by signing right-hander John Axford to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Axford hasn't received any guarantees with the short-term contract, but he is a strong candidate to make Toronto's 25-man roster and head north at the end of camp. He would slot into a middle-relief role alongside Ryan Tepera, David Phelps and possibly Tim Mayza.
The Minor League deal had been expected since last month when Axford made some surprisingly honest comments to the media about wanting to sign in Toronto.