The Toronto Blue Jays have signed left-hander Brett Anderson to a minor-league deal pending a physical, according to industry sources, as the club continues to find ways to bolster its pitching depth.
Barring a surprise, Anderson, released by the Chicago Cubs on July 31 after signing a $3.5-million, one-year deal in January, is expected to report to triple-A Buffalo and give the Blue Jays another potential option for their depleted rotation.
The talented but oft-injured 29-year-old has posted a 3.99 ERA and 1.342 WHIP in 133 games, 121 of them starts over nine seasons with Oakland, Colorado, the Dodgers and Cubs. This season, he posted an 8.18 ERA in 22 innings over six starts for the defending World Series champions.
The Blue Jays have some uncertainty behind Marcus Stroman, J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada in their starting rotation, with Chris Rowley and Nick Tepesch, Monday night’s starter versus Tampa Bay, currently filling out the back end.
Joe Biagini is being stretched out in Buffalo and while he’s approaching the physical base needed to start, the Blue Jays could give him a bit more time to work on things with the Bisons. He’ll return at some point this season to audition as a starter for next year and beyond.
The Blue Jays have long been interested in Anderson, who made 30 starts as a rookie with Oakland in 2009 and managed that feat only one time since, throwing a career-best 180.1 innings in 31 starts with the Dodgers in 2015.
In agreeing to a deal, the Blue Jays can take an extended look at him until the end of the season.
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