Report: Blue Jays Sign Relief Pitcher Andrew Vasquez

The Blue Jays have signed lefty reliever Andrew Vasquez to a major-league deal, per reports

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays have joined the post-lockout signing party.

Adding their latest reliever of the offseason, the Jays have signed lefty Andrew Vasquez to a major-league deal, per Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

Vasquez has 6.2 career MLB innings across three stints with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched just 1.2 innings in 2021 for Los Angeles, striking out three of his six batters faced. The 28-year-old's performance in Triple A last year, however, earned him a major-league deal for 2022. In 48.1 innings with St. Paul and Oklahoma City, Vasquez struck out 14.7 batters per nine innings, walking 4.5 while posting a 1.055 WHIP.

His primary weapon from the left side is a looping curveball, which Vasquez throws more than any other pitch and can drop in the strike zone or use to induce swings off the plate.

Courtesy of Pitcher List, below is a look at Vasquez's curve in action during his 2021 work for the Dodgers:

Vasquez adds another southpaw look to a Blue Jays bullpen that has just one guaranteed lefty, Tim Mayza. Vasquez will compete for a spot in Toronto's pen with other southpaws on the 40-man roster like Ryan Borucki, Anthony Kay, Tayler Saucedo, and Kirby Snead. With full starter innings not yet built up and expanded rosters for opening day, pitching depth will be crucial.

The 28-year-old has one remaining minor league option, so could likely be sent to Triple A Buffalo if he doesn't make the MLB team. The Jays exited the lockout with two open spots on their 40-man roster, and will have one left after Vasquez's contract is finalized.

H/T Shi Davidi