Blue Jays sign Lucas Harrell to minor-league deal

The Blue Jays have added righty Lucas Harrell on a minor-league deal, per a team announcement. The deal includes a major-league spring training invite.

Harrell had a fascinating 2016 season, first signing a minor-league deal with the Tigers and spending time at Double-A before breaking into the majors with the Braves and posting a solid 3.38 ERA in five starts and drawing trade interest from multiple teams. Atlanta capitalized by trading Harrell to the Rangers before the non-waiver deadline, but he made only four starts with Texas down the stretch and struggled to a 5.60 ERA in that time.

Harrell will provide rotation depth for Toronto this spring, slotting into a group that already includes Aaron Sanchez, Marcus Stroman, J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada and Francisco Liriano. Harrell appears to be a candidate to begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.

Harrell, 31, is a veteran of six seasons with the White Sox, Astros, Braves and Rangers, owning a career 4.77 ERA in that span.