For the first time in his career, John Axford will get the chance to play for his home country's Major League team.
The Canadian free-agent reliever signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays on Friday that includes an invitation to big league camp. MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal was first to report the sides had agreed to a deal.
Axford was born and raised in Ontario and attended high school in Brantford, a little more than an hour outside of Toronto.
The 34-year-old right-hander pitched for the A's last year, his second season with the team.