TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays added some rotation depth Monday, signing right-hander Lucas Harrell to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big league spring training.
Harrell, 31, started nine MLB games last year, splitting the season between three organizations before a right groin strain ended his season in August. He spent the first half of the season in the minors, first in Detroit’s system, then with Atlanta. After a strong July in the Braves’ rotation, the Rangers traded for Harrell, who started four times for Texas before leaving an August 16 start after just two innings due to a groin strain that would ultimately cut his season short.
In 47 total innings with Atlanta and Texas, Harrell posted a 4.21 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 24 walks. He relied heavily on an off-speed mix (cutter, curve, change-up) to complement a fastball that averaged 91.5 mph.
In parts of six big league seasons Harrell has a 4.77 ERA in 448.2 innings, most of which have come as a starter. The former fourth-round pick has below-average peripheral numbers with 225 career walks against 304 strikeouts.
Blue Jays starters led the American League with a 3.64 ERA in 2016, but their rotation looks vulnerable beyond their starting five of Aaron Sanchez, J.A. Happ, Marcus Stroman, Marco Estrada and Francisco Liriano. Their depth options include right-hander Mike Bolsinger, Rule 5 pick Glenn Sparkman and other minor-league signings such as Gavin Floyd, Brett Oberholtzer and T.J. House.
