The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with seven free agents on minor-league contracts.
Right-handers Jose De Leon, Casey Lawrence and David Phelps, left-hander Matt Gage, catcher Kellin Deglan and outfielders Nathan Lukes and Mallex Smith also have invites to spring training in 2022.
Phelps, 35, allowed just one earned run in 11 games with the Blue Jays last season, posting a 0.87 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP before being sidelined for the year with a right lat strain in May.
Deglan, 29, returns to the organization after ending last season with triple-A Buffalo. The Langley, B.C., native joined the Bisons via trade on Aug. 3, combining to hit .211 with four home runs and 16 RBI over 39 games.
Lawrence is also back for another season with the club, having gone 8-3 with a 4.40 ERA between Buffalo and double-A New Hampshire in 2021.
Smith played in 35 minor-league games while taking the field for three different teams last season, including seven games with Buffalo. He went 11-for-15 in stolen base attempts and batted .255 in 2021.
De León made two starts and seven relief appearances for the Cincinnati Reds last season, keeping an 8.35 ERA while striking out 33 batters over 18.1 innings of work.
Gage spent 2021 in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system, combining to go 4-1 with a 4.14 ERA over 43 appearances between double-A and triple-A.
Lukes batted .303 with 36 extra-base hits and 44 RBI for an .808 OPS while playing all 85 of his games for triple-A Durham last season.
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