Blue Jays sign Randy Wolf to minor-league deal

The Toronto Blue Jays have added some depth to their pitching staff, signing left-hander Randy Wolf to a minor-league deal, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the 38-year-old Wolf is in line to receive $800,000 if he makes the majors, while his contract also features a June 1st out clause.

A 15-year big league veteran, Wolf has played in the majors for a total of seven teams, including the Phillies, Dodgers, Padres, Astros, Brewers, Orioles, and Marlins. He has been a reliable mid-rotation innings-eater for much of that time, topping 200 innings six times; most recently in 2011. Wolf owns a career 4.21 ERA, 100 ERA+, and 20.2 WAR.

2014 was a busy year for Wolf, who returned after missing all of 2013 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He bounced around the league, spending time with the Mariners, Orioles, Diamondbacks, Angels, and Marlins. In 86.2 innings at Triple-A, he posted a 4.57 ERA and 2.23 K/BB. He surfaced in the majors with Miami, throwing 25.2 innings and putting up a 5.26 ERA and 4.38 FIP.

With budding ace Marcus Stroman likely done for 2015 after tearing his ACL, the Blue Jays have been forced to shuffle up their pitching staff. Toronto should have a number of options to round out their rotation behind Mark Buehrle, Drew Hutchison, R.A. Dickey, and Marco Estrada. Flamethrower Aaron Sanchez could be moved from a potential late-innings bullpen role into the rotation, while top prospect Daniel Norris may now see his timetable moved up a bit. The Blue Jays have also added a trio of veteran southpaws on minor-league deals this offseason, with Wolf joining Johan Santana and Jeff Francis. None of those three is a particularly good bet to perform a sizable role for the major league club, but they could find roles as longmen in the bullpen, while also providing depth in the rotation in case of further injuries.