Axford's elbow woes lead to Blue Jays cutting relief pitcher
Reliever John Axford of Port Dover, Ont., has been released from his minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced on Saturday.
Toronto traded Port Dover, Ont., native to Dodgers last summer
Reliever John Axford of Port Dover, Ont., has been released from his minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced on Saturday.
The move comes on the heels of Axford being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right (throwing) elbow two days earlier.
Axford, 35, was with Toronto for part of last season but was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July.
A 10-year veteran, Axford has pitched for eight teams and logged a 38-34 record with 144 saves and 3.87 earned-run average.
Axford, who lives in Burlington, Ont., was 4-1 with 50 strikeouts over 51 innings in his stint with Toronto last season.
The Blue Jays also offered fellow righty reliever Bud Norris a $100,000 US retention bonus to not opt out of his minor-league contract with the team.
Norris, 34, has been dealing with arm injuries this spring.