Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Report: Blue Jays Sign Reliever John Axford
From behind the analyst's desk to the pitcher's mound. A familiar face is reportedly returning to the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays have agreed on a contract with reliever John Axford, per Sportsnet's Jamie Campbell. Axford most recently appeared for Team Canada at the WBSC Baseball Americas Olympic Qualifier. Canada failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, but Axford was one of the team's bright spots.
In two appearances at the qualifier, Axford tallied one strikeout, allowed a lone hit, and notched a save without allowing any walks. The righty was reportedly sitting at 95-98 MPH with his fastball.
Prior to joining Team Canada, Axford acted as a pre- and post-game television analyst for Sportsnet, working alongside Campbell, the first to report the deal.
The contract will be the third Axford has signed with the Blue Jays. The Canadian pitcher signed a minor league deal with Toronto prior to the 2018 season and made the Opening Day roster before he was flipped to the Dodgers. Toronto brought Axford back on a minor league deal in 2019, but he didn't appear for the team after suffering multiple pitching-elbow injuries.
Across 10 seasons, the 38-year-old has pitched 525.1 IP, notched 144 saves, and earned a 3.87 ERA.
Axford brings a veteran presence to a Blue Jays bullpen that has quickly become one of the youngest in the league due to an onslaught of injuries. Toronto General Manager Ross Atkins told the media Sunday that the youth and inexperience of the unit was a reason for the recent late-game issues — an aspect they are clearly trying to address.
Details of the agreement are unknown, and the team has yet to confirm the signing.
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